What we do

The Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) has accountability for the public health management of all notifiable conditions in our region, with the exceptions of tuberculosis, anaphylaxis and high lead levels.

Notifiable conditions managed by BSWPHU include vaccine-preventable diseases, blood-borne viruses, sexually transmissible infections, zoonoses, vector-borne diseases and enteric diseases, as well as antimicrobial resistant pathogens.

Our work on notifiable conditions is undertaken in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Health, other Victorian Local Public Health Units, and other key stakeholders such as Council environmental health teams, health services, clinicians, and high-risk settings.

Public health follow-up may include collection of enhanced surveillance data, case management, contact tracing, environmental management, and/or outbreak management.

Medical practitioners and pathology departments are required to notify conditions to the Victorian Department of Health in accordance with the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008. Notifications are allocated to the relevant local public health unit or the Department of Health as appropriate.

The BSWPHU Health Protection team is available to provide advice and assistance to medical practitioners in our region about any aspect of the public health management of notifiable diseases within our scope.

For details of all notifiable conditions, including urgency and notification requirements, please visit the Department of Health’s notifiable conditions page.

Further information for patients can be found on the Better Health Channel.

Barwon South West Public Health Unit (BSWPHU) provides support to high-risk settings experiencing disease outbreaks. This includes outbreaks of acute respiratory infectious (such as COVID-19 or influenza outbreaks) and gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) outbreaks

Outbreaks of acute respiratory infection may be caused by COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or other respiratory pathogens.

People living in residential care facilities are at higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 and influenza due to older age and/or comorbid conditions.

ARI outbreak prevention and preparedness

RCFs are responsible for ensuring they are prepared to carry out public health measures in response to outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in their facility. Additionally, facilities should have measures in place to reduce the risk of respiratory viruses entering the facility.

For further information about prevention and preparedness, refer to:

ARI outbreak notification

Residential care facilities are strongly recommended to notify outbreaks of acute respiratory infection, particularly those caused by COVID-19, influenza or RSV.

Other settings (e.g., childcare facilities, workplaces) can also notify outbreaks of acute respiratory infection, particularly in situations of high case numbers or individuals at high risk of serious disease.

Acute respiratory infection outbreaks in the Barwon South West region can be notified by:

  • Completing the online Outbreak Notification Form, or
  • Calling the Department of Health phone line on 1300 651 160, or
  • Contacting BSWPHU directly.

ARI outbreak management

Outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in residential care facilities are managed according to the Victorian Department of Health guidelines.

BSWPHU can provide:

  • Support and advice with managing respiratory outbreaks
  • Preparedness and readiness assessments, including COVID-19 outbreak management plans
  • Tailored infection prevention control advice and education

Gastroenteritis outbreaks

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis can occur in many settings, including:

  • Residential care facilities, such as residential aged care facilities, disability residential services, and supported residential services
  • Health services
  • Children’s services centres, such as childcare centres, pre-schools (kindergartens), and family day care centres
  • Camp facilities
  • Food premises

There are legislated notification requirements for medical practitioners and laboratories for food-borne and water-borne illness (two or more related cases). Refer to the Department of Health notifiable conditions webpage.

Facilities experiencing a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak in the Barwon South West region should notify the outbreak by:

  • Completing the online Outbreak Notification Form, or
  • Calling the Department of Health phone line on 1300 651 160, or
  • Contacting BSWPHU directly.

Gastroenteritis outbreaks are investigated and managed according to the Victorian Department of Health guidelines. BSWPHU works closely with local Councils on management of gastroenteritis outbreaks.