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Council prepares to meet swine flu challenge

Preparing to meet the challenge: Councillor John Lister and EOC manager, Jane Lodge.

From City Scene, published on 21 June, 2009.

Auckland City Council's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is expected to play a key role in communicating public information and supporting the Ministry of Health, as the Influenza A (H1N1) virus spreads through the community.

Council employees who are trained volunteer members of the EOC are on 24-hour standby. Additionally, the council has a crisis management team to make key decisions affecting services.

"If there's one key message for the public it is this - stock up with food and other basics including medication for at least a week and consider how you can assist dependent relatives or neighbours who may fall ill or be isolated," says Councillor John Lister, the council's Civil Defence Emergency Management representative.

Mr Lister says it is important that people take personal responsibility for their own welfare wherever possible. "Large numbers may have to be quarantined at home for several days so they need to plan to stay well-fed and warm," he adds.

The council's main job is maintaining essential services for residents as part of a comprehensive business continuity plan.

"The city has to keep functioning. We can't simply shut down until things pass over. Water, rubbish collections, the call centre and other services linked to health and safety will always be maintained, even if we have to close some facilities like libraries and swimming pools and redeploy staff, should the situation require it."

Important guidelines

• Anyone who has recently travelled overseas and is ill with flu symptoms is advised to phone their GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116 for medical advice. Do not turn up at hospital or medical centre before making these calls as you can spread germs to others.
• Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people experience diarrhoea and vomiting.
• The World Health Organisation says you will not be able to tell the difference between swine flu and seasonal flu without medical advice.
• Hand-hygiene is the most effective measure to protect yourself. Wash hands with soap and water and dry thoroughly, leaving no drops of water on your hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing and dispose of tissue. Then wash your hands.
• Where possible, avoid crowds. If you become sick, stay at home for seven days after first symptoms or until 24 hours after being symptom-free.
• If exposed to a household member who may have swine flu, follow the above guidelines. With two or more of the symptoms, contact your GP and phone the Healthline for free 24-hour advice. Stay away from social gatherings and places where you can come into contact with others until you are symptom free.

Healthline phone 0800 611 116 (24 hours)