{"id":187011,"date":"2017-08-16T14:52:41","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T04:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=187011"},"modified":"2020-08-14T17:19:01","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T07:19:01","slug":"flu-cases-hit-record-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/08\/16\/flu-cases-hit-record-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"Flu Cases Hit Record Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Everyone is encouraged to get a flu shot, but especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents (Photo: Wikimedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 16, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queensland Health has warned that this year’s flu season has hit with a vengeance, with record numbers of cases being reported.<\/p>\n

Dr Christopher Coulter,\u00a0 from the Infectious Diseases Communicable Diseases Branch, said the latest figures were the best reminder yet to get a flu vaccination.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor those who haven\u2019t had a flu vaccination this year, it\u2019s not too late and they should make booking an appointment a priority,\u201d Dr Coulter said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s vaccine protects against two \u2018A\u2019 and two \u2018B\u2019 strains of flu which have been the most prevalent around the world this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor some people in high-risk categories, influenza can be deadly so it\u2019s crucial we all play our part to help stop it spreading and reduce its effects on the community.”<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The \u2018Statewide Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report’, available online, compares weekly flu data back to 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This week\u2019s figure is the highest weekly reported during that period.<\/p>\n

So far this year, there have been 19,216 flu notifications – about 76 per cent (14,688) were Type A and the remaining 24 per cent (4528) were Type B.<\/p>\n

So far this year, there have also been 2145 public hospital admissions across Queensland for the flu, and 222 of those required intensive care.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dr Coulter urged residents to practise good hygiene.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay home when you\u2019re sick, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing and wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.<\/p>\n

Combined with vaccination, these simply steps can reduce the likelihood of spreading the flu and combat the rise in flu notifications.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Queenslanders eligible for the government-funded influenza vaccine can access it from their doctor or immunisation provider.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those eligible for the funded vaccine are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n
    • People aged 65 years of age or older<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
        \n
      • Aboriginal and\/or Torres Strait Islander children aged six months to five years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
          \n
        • Aboriginal and\/or Torres Strait Islander people 15 years of age or older<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n
          • People six months of age or older who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            All other Queenslanders can obtain the influenza vaccination from their doctor, immunisation provider or some community pharmacies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Queensland Health has warned that this year’s flu season has hit with a vengeance, with record numbers of cases being reported.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":187029,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[172,3],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nFlu Cases Hit Record Levels<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Queensland Health has warned that this year's flu season has hit with a vengeance, with record numbers of cases being reported.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/08\/16\/flu-cases-hit-record-levels\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Flu Cases Hit Record Levels\" \/>\n<meta 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