Hendra public health checklist

 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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