Non-designated health services
When VHF is suspected in a patient presenting to a non-designated health service or primary care clinic, transfer to a designated health service may not be immediate and may depend on location, resources, patient acuity and processing of laboratory results.
Decisions about direct transfer or collecting and sending blood specimens for VHF testing will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the department. Regardless of approach, the local health service should plan to manage a suspected case for up to several hours (see VHF case investigation flow chart). This includes the following procedures.
Isolation and personal protective equipment (PPE)
This requires:
- isolating the patient immediately in a single room with the door closed. If available, this should be in a negative pressure ventilation room
- instituting PPE for staff as per Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- minimising unnecessary staff and family contact.
In non-designated health services where minimal PPE or isolation facilities and no IPC expertise are available (such as primary care), minimise the patient’s movement in the health service and isolate them in a single room away from other staff and patients with the door shut. Use the maximum level of PPE available at the practice (as outlined in Personal protective equipment (PPE)) in discussion with the department.
For non-designated health services with IPC teams, the level of PPE should be determined according to Personal protective equipment (PPE) and in discussion with the department.
Further history
This requires:
- keeping the patient informed of what is happening
- if not already ascertained, obtaining further information about VHF compatible symptoms, date of onset of illness, and dates and location of exposure to VHF. Other information may need to be gathered from the patient following discussion with the LPHU and the department.
Notification and escalation
This requires:
- notifying the LPHU without delay on 1300 651 160
- notifying other relevant teams where applicable (infection prevention, infectious diseases and executive)
- identifying a liaison person with the LPHU.
The LPHU will perform a risk assessment in collaboration with the DCHO-CD. An IMT will be set up to discuss and provide advice on further actions, including testing and transfer of patients.
Further diagnostic samples
This requires:
- avoiding diagnostic sampling (throat swab, aerosol-generating procedure or venepuncture) unless necessary or advised by the department
- keeping aside any pathology samples that have been taken as per the laboratory request (see Laboratory). DO NOT send them to the laboratory without discussion with the department
- that if other clinical specimens have been sent to the onsite/affiliated laboratory inadvertently (prior to suspicion of VHF being raised), alerting the onsite/affiliated laboratory immediately.
Further management
At non-designated health services where treatment is available, consider treating patients empirically for sepsis and malaria, in consultation with an infectious diseases specialist.
Transfer of patients
Transfer of a suspected or confirmed case is to be discussed with the department and decided according to the principles outlined in Transfer to a designated health service.
Do not call AV to organise transport to another health service unless advised by the department or if immediately essential for life-saving care.
Other IPC management
This requires:
- compiling a list of patients and staff (with contact details) who engaged with the patient or were in the immediate vicinity of the patient. Further contact tracing will be advised by the department
- environmental cleaning, disinfection and waste management to be managed as detailed in the IPC section (see Infection prevention and control) and in discussion with the department.
Reviewed 26 February 2026