High consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) are a range of infectious diseases typically characterised by the following features:
- They are acute infectious diseases.
- They have a high case-fatality rate.
- Effective prophylaxis or treatment may not be available
- They can be difficult to recognise and detect rapidly.
- They can spread in the community and within healthcare settings
- They require an enhanced individual, population and system response to ensure safe and effective management.
Managing suspected or confirmed HCID cases requires specialist services, including enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE).
Resources
- High Consequence Infectious Diseases – Infection Prevention and Control Principles (GL2026_009)
- Video: Donning PPE for HCIDs
- Video: Doffing PPE for HCIDs
Pandemic preparedness
An influenza pandemic is a global epidemic caused by a new influenza virus to which there is little or no pre-existing immunity in the human population. The NSW Health Influenza Pandemic Plan sets out planning and response guidance.
Resources
- VHF control guidelines: NSW Health guideline for surveillance, case management and contact tracing of VHFs.
- Ebola virus disease control guideline: NSW Health guideline for identifying, managing and reporting suspected or confirmed Ebola cases.
- Ebola virus disease fact sheet: Overview of Ebola virus disease including symptoms, transmission and prevention measures.
- Centre for Disease Control chapter 4 - travel related infectious diseases
- Early Response to HCIDs: Framework for early identification and coordinated response to HCID.
- Video: Terminal Clean of a VHF Room: Demonstration of terminal cleaning procedures for rooms used by patients with VHF.
- Video: Routine Clean of a VHF Room: Demonstration of routine cleaning procedures for rooms used by patients with VHF.