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A/9.6 Communicable / infectious diseases |
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9.6.1 Hepatitis B 9.6.1 Hepatitis BCertain work or study-related activities may increase the risk of contracting Hepatitis B for some staff members or students. The Queensland Health Department advises that staff or students may have a greater chance of contracting Hepatitis B if, during their work/study, they handle potentially infectious human body fluids such as blood or body substances. Individuals who may be required to work in Queensland Health's facilities must be appropriately vaccinated (for example, against Hepatitis B) and provide proof of their immune status on completion of the course of injections. Queensland Health will exclude from their facilities persons who wish to undertake processes or procedures which carry disease contamination risks, unless they produce evidence of their vaccination status prior to their first visit. It is the responsibility of faculties and schools to conduct and document a risk assessment of work and study practices which may lead to exposure to infectious diseases. Where such risk requires certified vaccination of individuals, faculties/schools should develop appropriate local procedures to manage the certification and documentation process. Faculties/schools will need to identify in advance any adverse work/study consequences for staff and students who are not vaccinated in accordance with the requirements of Queensland Health. Vaccination Hepatitis B vaccination is available to QUT staff and students through the QUT Health Service. Staff members whose positions may place them " at risk " will be provided with vaccination at no cost to the staff member. The cost of the vaccination will be met by the staff member's organisational unit and written authorisation from the relevant manager to the QUT Health Service is required. Examples of " at risk " positions include some School of Life Science researchers, Facilities Management plumbers and Health Service nurse practitioners. Students whose study requirements meet Queensland Health criteria outlined above are also considered " at risk " . Heads of school must inform such students, well in advance of possible exposure, of the Queensland Health requirement for certified vaccination. QUT will provide vaccination through the QUT Health Service with the cost being met by the student unless otherwise arranged. Course material supplied to students should highlight this requirement. For other QUT staff and students, whose work or study-related activities do not put them in " at risk " positions, the QUT Health Service can provide vaccination with the cost being met by the staff member or student. 9.6.2 Other communicable / infectious diseasesThe general public and the University community may be subject to diseases which spread from person to person or from animals to persons. As identification and treatment of such diseases is subject to new information from time to time, the preferred source of information remains your doctor or the appropriate unit in the Queensland Department of Health. This site provides information on other forms of hepatitis, tetanus and viral or bacterial infections. See also the Health and Safety website. The following link provides information on the management of communicable or infectious diseases: http://www.registrar.qut.edu.au/ (click on "Communicable Disease Protocol") . Modification History
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