Mornington Peninsula Division of General Practice

Avian Influenza Information Page

Avian Influenza
This page contains information and links to information relevant about the possible avian influenza pandemic. Mornington Peninsula Division of General Practice has several roles in managing this potential risk. These are: -

• Keeping general practitioners and general practice staff  informed and up to date about the potential risk

• Liaising with Peninsula Health and our two local governments about roles that each organisation has in managing the risk

Keeping our Members and Practices Informed
Significant work has already been performed in readying the country for a potential avian influenza threat. This high level strategic planning does identify a role for general practice. At a federal and state level, Australian Divisions of General Practice and General  Practice Divisions of Victoria are providing input and feedback on the possible roles that general practice may play.

Further information can be obtained from these web sites: -

• Victorian Influenza Pandemic Plan http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/regulations/vic_influenza.htm

• Victorian Avian Influenza (bird flu) site - http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/avian.htm

• Australian Government avian influenza site: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-avian_influenza-index.htm

•  A general information site by the Health Services Australia and the Travel Doctor Group  http://www.avianinfluenza.com.au/
   

• General Information Sheet sent to MPDGP general practices (word doc)

Liaison with Local Health Providers
MPDGP has been proactive in seeking to represent local general practices with local health providers when they are planning strategies to address the avian influenza threat. Peninsula Health have established the Peninsula Health Influenza Group. This group meets 2 weekly. Its members consist of Peninsula Hospital Management and clinicians, local government health workers and a GP representative Dr Jonathon Lowther.  Dr Jonathon Lowther reports directly to the Executive Director of MPDGP.

Resources produced by this group include: -

• Questions and Answers about the Avian Influenza Threat (pdf)

• Algorithm for dealing with a possible threat (Word doc)

• Avian Flu Resources

  • MPDGP Fact sheet

  • Peninsula Health Influenza Group - Algorithm  (PowerPoint)

  • Presentation - Dr Sheena Broughton (PowerPoint)

  • Presentation - Bernie Lane - Infection Control  (PowerPoint)

(Last Updated 08 January 2007)