Border Measures

Australia has witnessed significant changes in the health sector as far as the fight against influenza and other respiratory diseases is concerned. Travel restriction, mandatory quarantine, social distancing and all other measures identified as border control measures and implemented in the health management plan, have been criticized and supported at the same time. The fact that they are facing criticism is a blow to the entire process and it means that the effectiveness of these measures has not been proven. The measures are ineffective since they cause a burden to the community. Travel restrictions and related protection measures cannot be a solution in slowing the spread of the pandemic influenza virus and other related diseases. Travelling will always be necessary and therefore restrictions that hinder effectiveness and efficiency in travelling should be eliminated. The health management plan should be reviewed, not to remove the border control measures but to effectively implement them and turn it into a solution by making it more advantageous than it is now. This will be through employing research and development that will ensure that the plan actually works as a protection measure in slowing the spread of the virus. In addition, awareness is the most important thing. People need to be educated on both the health management plan and the border control measures. This will help them to effectively comply with the plan and the measures thus eliminating the community burden. Proper implementation of health policies in relation to control measures and a clear understanding of the policies by the community, will significantly improve the effectiveness of the plan and the measures.

Reference List

1. Medew, Julia. Global pandemic declared on 'unstoppable' swine flu. [Online] June 12, 2009. [Cited: 10 17, 2011.] http://www.theage.com.au/national/global-pandemic-declared-on-unstoppable-swine-flu-20090612-c53x.html.

2. AustralianGovernmentDepartmentofHealthandAgeing. FLUBORDERPLAN: National Pandemic Influenza Airport Border Operations Plan. Canberra : Commonwealth of Australia, 2009.

3. Nuzzo JB, Henderson DA. Comments from the Center for Biosecurity of UPMC on proposed revisions to 42 CFR 70 and 71 (Quarantine Rules). [Online] 11 2009. [Cited: 10 17, 2011.] http://www.umaryland.edu/healthsecurity/docs/Comments%20Center%20for%20Biosecurity%20CDC%20Revisions.pdf.

5. M, Chan. World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic. [Online] June 11, 2009. [Cited: 10 17, 2011.]