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Current Issues>Swine Flu update and advice
| Swine flu – Council alert and prepared | | Cardinia Shire Council is making sure it remains alert and prepared for the potential impact of swine flu within our local area.
Council is working with the State Government Department of Human Services and health agencies to stay up to date with the latest information and advice, and to implement local actions for prevention, containment and care if necessary.
We have established our pandemic planning committee which is monitoring the situation closely and has systems in place to assist the community in the event of an outbreak.
We are also undertaking planning to ensure business continuity – including provision of key Council services and appropriate support for people if they are confined to their homes or quarantined.
Vaccination programs are currently being planned by Department of Human Services in conjunction with healthcare providers.
Council officers are receiving daily updates from the Department of Human Services regarding the current status of the virus.
Our immediate focus is on promoting good health hygiene practices, widely acknowledged as one of the most effective measures to prevent against contracting swine flu.
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| What should you do? | | Good health hygiene practices are the most effective preventative measure you can take to reduce the chance of contracting flu, or passing it on to others.
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 | Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze | | Throw the tissue into a lined rubbish bin wafter you use it | | Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze | | Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs can easily spread that way.
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| People who feel ill with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough and fatigue) should present to their doctor for the best possible advice. It is always wise to call ahead.
If you do develop the flu – both normal and swine flu – you should avoid public places and close contact with others, especially children.
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| More information or help | | For general health advice, call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 606 024.
For general information for people returning from overseas, call the Swine Influenza Hotline on 180 2007.
For more information about Influenza HINI (swine flu), including status reports, fact sheets, posters and advice visit the Department of Human Services website http://humanswineflu.health.vic.gov.au
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