First Western Australian case of human swine flu identified

A 30-year-old Perth resident is the first Western Australian to test positive for human swine influenza.

Health Minister Kim Hames said the man returned from Canada and the USA on Qantas flight QF 26, departing from Los Angeles on May 20, via Auckland, and arrived in Melbourne on May 22.

After an overnight stay in Melbourne he continued to Perth on Saturday May 23 on Qantas flight QF 481.

"The man had mild symptoms on the flights from Auckland to Melbourne and from Melbourne to Perth, but on all flights he was surrounded by empty seats, and it is believed the risk of infecting other passengers was not great," Dr Hames said.

"However, as a precautionary measure, Department of Health officials are endeavouring to contact people who were seated within two rows in front and behind the man on his flights.

"These persons will be asked to remain in home quarantine and take antiviral medication for seven days from the time of contact."

The man was assessed at a metropolitan hospital after arriving in Perth, and discharged to home isolation after specimens were collected.  Results became available late Sunday night.

Public Health staff then visited the man's house and provided anti-viral medication for his wife and children.  They will remain in home quarantine for seven days.

The Minister said given the wide circulation of the new virus in North America, and cases in 40 other countries, it was inevitable that the virus would reach Western Australia.

"There is no need for the public to panic.  In most instances the human swine flu virus appears to cause a relatively mild illness and the rare cases of more severe disease have generally responded well to antiviral medication," he said.

At this stage, there was no indication of other cases in WA, and the State Government was committed to maintaining current strategies to curtail entry and spread of the virus as much as possible.

These include:

• screening of passengers at Perth International Airport

• assessment and testing of ill travellers from affected countries at hospital emergency departments and GP surgeries
• isolation and treatment of suspect and confirmed cases, and home quarantine of close contacts of confirmed cases
• the recently-announced voluntary exclusion from school of children returning from holidays in affected countries for seven days after return, to reduce the risk of transmission in schools
• possible closure of schools if cases are confirmed amongst students.

Dr Hames said it was important for people to maintain good personal hygiene.

"Regular hand washing, covering your nose and mouth if sneezing and coughing, and staying home if you are sick will help manage the spread of viruses in the community."

People should continue to get their annual influenza vaccine, particularly people over 65 and under five and other vulnerable groups. 

While the current influenza vaccine won't protect against this new strain of swine influenza, it will protect against serious illness caused by seasonal influenza.

For further information about swine flu call the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or visit the Department of Health website www.health.wa.gov.au   

Minister's office - 9222 8788