I received this email, which may be of value to you all.
| Latest COVID-19 information for people with MS
UPDATE FROM MS NEUROLOGISTS – 08/04/20 Dear MS Stakeholder, We hope you are keeping safe and well since our last communication. In our last COVID-19 update to you on 27/03/20 we shared a statement prepared by an independent group of Australian and New Zealand neurologists. MS Research Australia continues to work closely with these experts and would like to share an update to the advice for people with MS provided at the end of March. The statement is outlined below, with the key updates to the previous information highlighted in red for your convenience. BACKGROUND Since December 2019 following cases emerging in and around Wuhan, China most regions of the world have now experienced cases of a novel respiratory illness (COVID-19) caused by a new coronavirus which has been identified as SARS-CoV-2. The mortality of this infection amongst cases displaying symptoms and confirmed to have the virus is in the order of 1-7%. National and International measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus have been implemented in most jurisdictions. It is likely that these measures will slow the rate of transmission, but at this point it is unclear if further spread can be prevented and it is unclear how long the present outbreak will last. At present there is no known effective treatment for COVID-19 and there is no vaccine. Older persons and those with pre-existing medical conditions (respiratory disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer) have a higher risk of complications from COVID-19 infection. Men may also be at a slightly increased risk. At this stage, there is no evidence that being immunosuppressed increases a person’s risk of being infected with COVID-19 or developing complications, but there is a theoretical risk of both. In Australia, we are still in a containment phase where it is hoped that the measures being implemented will limit the number of people infected and the present risk of being infected with COVID-19 remains low. The latest data indicate that the number of new cases is declining. This suggests that the present transmission prevention efforts may be working. This is result of two main factors. The first is that the population of Australia has largely followed the recommendations of social distancing and personal protection. The second is the outstanding work undertaken by our Public Health team who have successful traced the source of 80-90% of cases and implemented testing, quarantine and self-isolation as necessary. This has been an amazing achievement and goes largely unnoticed. However, we need to remain vigilant as the situation may still change. We will continue to monitor this and change our advice accordingly. HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM GETTING COVID-19? In order to minimise the risk of being infected by COVID-19, you should follow the standard precautions advised by the Australian Government. This is the best source of advice on how to keep yourself safe and will be updated daily. WHAT IF I DEVELOP SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INFECTION OR HAVE A CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS OF COVID-19 INFECTION? If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 infection or have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 infection you should:
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INFECTION? If you are concerned that you are developing symptoms of COVID-19 you can:
SHOULD I COME TO MY OUTPATIENT CLINIC, INFUSION, BLOOD TEST OR MRI APPOINTMENT? If you have visited a high-risk area, have symptoms of COVID-19 infection or have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 please do not attend your outpatient, infusion, blood test or MRI appointment. Please contact your specialist clinic, MRI department, infusion centre or MS Nurse to advise of your need to cancel the appointment and make alternative arrangements. Most neurology clinics have now moved to telephone or telehealth consultations. It is important to remember that MRI scans and blood test form an important part of the monitoring of your disease activity and potential side effects of medication. In some instances, there may be adverse consequences of delaying or cancelling these investigations. Please contact your neurologist before making any changes to your planned investigations. MRI departments in hospitals and private radiology practices have implemented measures to limit the risk of infection. Some private pathology services offer a home collection service. Please contact your pathology service for details. This may require the approval of your neurologist. SHOULD I TRAVEL OVERSEAS? Current travel advice is available on the Australian Smart Traveller website, but essentially all travel has now been banned. SHOULD I HAVE THE FLU AND PNEUMONIA VACCINATIONS? It is recommended that all persons with MS and related disorders have the flu vaccination when it becomes available in April. The Pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended. WHAT IF I AM A HEALTHCARE WORKER? At present we have no evidence of an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or its complications in people with MS or related conditions, even in those on treatment. However, as indicated below there are potential, theoretical risks with some medications and it would be sensible for healthcare workers on any of these therapies to avoid work environments that would bring them into direct contact with people either known to be or likely to be infected with COVID-19. If you require any documentation to this effect, please contact your neurologist who will be happy to assist. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT MY MEDICATION? If you are on a regular medication for MS or a related condition, then it is recommended that you should continue to take this medication because of the very real risk of relapse when medication is ceased. With regards to specific therapies:
Signatories Simon Broadley Michael Barnett Todd Hardy FOR THE LATEST UPDATES VISIT THE COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WITH MS HUB ON OUR PARTNER ORGANISATION MS AUSTRALIA’S WEBSITE
MS Research Australia |
Is Pneumococcal vaccination offered in the UK?
Yes, it is licensed for people on immunosuppression.
Since ocrelizumab was licensed we recommend it all our patients about to start immunosuppression. It is given by the GPs and the cost is covered by Public Health England.
Would you recommended for patients on Tysabri as well?
Is the caccine attenuated?
When I asked my local GP practice about having this vaccination back in January, they said they had no vaccines as there was a national shortage.
Australians seem like a sensible bunch of people!
My sister is the CEO of a hospital in Adelaide and their preparation and the countrys ,existing controlling methods including shutting borders between States and movement in and out of the country has quite obviously worked but it’s never mentioned on the news as an example to follow
Is there a definitive list of drugs for MS and how they should be being administered at the current time in the UK because hospitals seem to be applying different rules to each other ?
Been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2015, and I was a woman of 50. They put me on Rebif which I took until 2017 and was switched to Copaxone. I had two relapses on Rebif, none so far on Copaxone. I do notice my balance was getting worse, and my memory, as well as erectile dysfunction and spasms’ had no choice to sick for other solution and I was introduce to total cure herbal prodcuts which I purchase the MS herbal formula from the foundation, the herbal supplement has effectively get rid of my multiple sclerosis and reversed all symptoms,the biggest helped I had was www totalcureherbsfoundation com They walked me through the proper steps, im highly recommending this herbal formula to anyone who needs help.