Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Linked to Wisconsin Hospital’s Decorative Fountain
January 14th, 2012

A 2010 outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Wisconsin has been linked to a
decorative fountain in a hospital lobby, according to a study published in the
February issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Since this investigation, many healthcare facilities in Wisconsin shut down
or removed decorative fountains in their facilities, while others enhanced their
regular testing protocols to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, the
researchers report.  Healthcare facility construction guidelines published after
this outbreak stipulate that, “fountains and other open decorative water
features may represent a reservoir for opportunistic human pathogens; thus they
are not recommended for installation within any enclosed spaces in healthcare
facilities.”

Australasian College of Infection Prevention & Control (ACIPC) National Conference 2012
January 14th, 2012

The organising committee invite you to attend the inaugural Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control Conference, 2012. The event will take place from Monday 8 October to Thursday 11 October 2012 at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. Please ensure you mark these dates in your calendars and forward this information onto your colleagues… ACIPC Conference 2012

Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control Conference 2012
January 10th, 2012

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control Conference, 2012 (ACIPC), formally known as Australian Infection Control Association (AICA) will take place from Monday 8 October to Thursday 11 October 2012 at the Sydney Exhibition and Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia.

The key theme for this event is ‘Building, Balancing, Believing and Beyond’, with a programme containing presentations and workshops by specialists in the Infection Prevention and Control field including several international and domestic invited keynote presenters.

The 2012 Conference will highlight and build on accomplishments of recent, past and present research. It will showcase innovative strategies that will define infection surveillance, prevention and control into the challenging future and beyond.

For more details see http://www.acipcconference.com.au/

Influenza Vaccine Composition 2012
January 10th, 2012

The formulation of influenza vaccines for use in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee based on information and recommendations from the Word Health Organisation (WHO).  The influenza vaccine for the Australian 2012 influenza season contains the following 3 virus strains:

• A (H1N1): an A/Californai/7/2009 (H1N1) – like strain, 15 ug HA per dose
• A (H3N2): an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) – like strain, 15 ug HA per dose
• B: a B/Brisbane/60/2008 – like strain, 15 ug HA per dose

Updated Recommendations for Revaccination of Adults with Pneumovax 23
January 10th, 2012

In December 2011, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) published its updated recommendations for revaccination of adults with Pneumovax.  The revised revaccination recommends that a second dose of Pneumovax is no longer recommended for those individuals > 65 years of age without any conditions that predispose them to an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease:  ATAGI Statement