Summary
- Flu cases on the rise across Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Northern Peninsula Area.
- Getting the flu vaccine is the best way to protect everyone.
- Ensure you're up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine doses recommended for your age and health needs.
Cases of influenza are continuing to rise across Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Northern Peninsula Area.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Executive Director of Medical Services Dr Marlow Coates said 370 laboratory-confirmed cases had been recorded so far this year.
“We’ve had outbreaks on Cape York and are now also seeing rising numbers of cases in the Torres Strait, so we know flu is definitely impacting our communities,’’ he said.
“Being vaccinated every year is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.
“With the seasonal flu vaccine now readily available, everyone should take the opportunity to be vaccinated.
“It’s a safe vaccine for children and is offered annually to everyone older than six months of age.
“The vaccine is free for people who are most at risk, including children aged 6 months to less than 5 years, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people aged 65 years and older, people who are pregnant, and people who have certain medical conditions.
“But as well as vaccination, good hygiene also is very important in preventing flu, just as it was during the COVID–19 pandemic.
“The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to wash your hands, cover your coughs, put tissues straight in the bin and stay away from other people if you or they are sick.
“Practising social distancing by staying at least 1.5 metres away – as recommended during the recent COVID-19 pandemic – will mean coughs and sneezes don’t reach another person’s face.
“Wearing a mask also is highly recommended to avoid transmitting the flu to others, or to protect yourself from people around you who might have the flu.
“If you get the flu, you should stay home and rest and drink plenty of fluids until symptoms have resolved, which is usually 5-7 days.
“All these measures can help prevent the spread of flu.
“If you or your family member is getting sicker, they may have fast or difficult breathing, have chest pains, be sleepy or say they are getting worse.
“If this happens, they should go to their doctor or clinic, as you may be suitable to receive anti- viral treatment.
“But you should seek care early, especially if you have other chronic conditions, as antivirals are only effective if started early – within the first couple of days of symptoms.’’
Dr Coates said the flu could be a serious illness, especially for high-risk people like young children, old people, pregnant women, and people with some illnesses – like breathing problems or diabetes.
“While healthy adults usually recover quite well, influenza infection can lead to other medical complications such as pneumonia,’’ he said.
As well as flu, cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are being widely reported across the health service region, with 52 cases reported to date, compared with none for the same year to date period last year.
Dr Coates said RSV was a common virus which generally caused minor illness but could be severe in individuals with weakened immune systems or young children.
“A single RSV infection does not result in long-lasting protective immunity, and symptomatic illness tends to occur repetitively in children,’’ he said.
“Symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, and headache.
“While there is no vaccine for RSV, we encourage people to prevent the spread by practising good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette – just like for the flu and COVID-19.’’
Dr Coates said everyone also should always ensure they were up to date with all the COVID-19 vaccination doses recommended for their age and health needs.
The health service has recorded 181 cases of COVID-19 so far this year, compared with 5762 cases for the same year to date period last year.
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