PHU checklist
Public Health Unit (PHU) Incident Management Checklist for confirmed equine case of Hendra virus
infection, or where [NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)] advises of heightened suspicion.
Contact [NSW DPI] to
- clarify timeline for results of laboratory testing, if not already confirmed
- ensure appropriate infection-control measures are in place
- identify potential contacts and establish whether/what communication has occurred.
Contact potential contacts to
- assess horse exposure/s using Exposure assessment form/s
- if high exposure to body fluids of a confirmed equine case, liaise with an infectious diseases physician as soon as practicable regarding PEP
- if medium exposure, discuss as soon as practicable with appropriately-experienced public health practitioners and infectious diseases physician/s to reach consensus on exposure assessment.
- assess current health status
- refer any symptomatic people to appropriate care
- counsel about risk
- advise about laboratory testing recommendations
- provide Hendra Factsheet for contacts
- advise about self-monitoring of their health and to seek early medical advice if they develop fever or respiratory or neurological symptoms within 3 weeks of exposure
- advise them to access their usual health-care practitioner to assess need for ongoing physical and psychological support, medical or workers compensation certification and referral to other services as necessary.
Other issues
- maintain communication with [NSW Communicable Diseases Branch]
- establish a team to manage public health response if confirmed equine case
- involve [SafeWork NSW] if confirmed transmission has occurred in a workplace.
PHU Case Checklist for suspected or confirmed human case of Hendra virus infection
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