Review of Australia’s Health Sector Response to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Lessons Identified

Chapter 4: Border Measures

Table of contents

Key Findings
Border measures were rapidly implemented at Australia’s international airports.
Management of cruise ship arrivals was an early issue addressed quickly through development of a protocol by governments in cooperation with the cruise ship industry.
Measures continued beyond the establishment of local transmission in Australia. It was not clear when to discontinue border interventions.
Maintaining border measures and undertaking consequent contact-tracing activities placed a heavy burden on jurisdictional public health resources.
The effectiveness and rationale for border measures generally need further consideration.
Research indicates that border measures were seen by travellers as a proactive and important part of protecting the health of the Australian community.

Text box 4: Border measures guidance from AHMPPI 2008

Objective

Purpose

Border measures could delay entry of the virus for a short period of time if implemented early and if used in conjunction with other control measures.
Border measures could help raise awareness among the travelling public and deter those with infection from travelling.

Governance

Border measures are a whole-of-government decision. The health sector’s role is to provide advice to government regarding the effectiveness and timing of measures, and to assist with implementation.

This information is current for 17 May, 2012
This information was issued on October, 2011

Level of Pandemic Threat
ALERT Phase