H1N1 in the field: The impact on Australian Defence Force Field Exercise Talisman Sabre 09

In the winter of 2009, the Australian Defence Force participated in a large scale exercise at Shoalwater Bay, Queensland and the 1st Health Support Battalion (1HSB) provided hospital level medical support. At the time of the exercise the H1N1 Influenza 09 had gained momentum within Australia resulting in a number of fatalities. Unsure how the pandemic would develop 1HSB made preparations to manage an H1N1 09 outbreak in the field environment.

The aim of treatment was early isolation and therein an isolation ward was established promptly. In total there were 47 patients admitted to the H1N1 09 isolation ward which accounted for 25% of the total admissions during the exercise. There were difficulties establishing H1N1 positive patients using rapid antigen testing and isolating these patients from each other was subsequently challenging. Consumables were difficult to procure given the national shortage of specific items. None of the patients admitted required transfer to civilian facilities and only one member of 1HSB clinical staff contracted H1N1 09. The success of managing this outbreak was adherence to the principles of infection control, in particular isolation.