Influenza cases are higher for the year to date than for the same period last year. Photo: South Agency.
Cape York, Torres Strait, and Northern Peninsula Area residents are being urged to ensure they protect themselves and their children against a range of respiratory infections.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Public Health Medical Officer Dr Helen Pedgrift said various respiratory diseases, including influenza – the flu – respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 were circulating.
Dr Pedgrift said spikes in influenza were being recorded in some communities, such as Weipa on the Western Cape.
Influenza case numbers are currently running higher than last year for the year to date – with 90 reported flu cases so far in the health service, compared to 15 for the same period last year.
Dr Pedgrift said good hygiene was important year-round in preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses.
“Always wash your hands, use sanitiser, cover your coughs, put tissues straight in the bin and stay away from other people if you or they are sick,’’ she said.
“If you get the flu, you should not attend work or school and instead stay home and rest and drink plenty of fluids until symptoms have resolved, which is usually five to seven days.
“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 Pedgrift said the flu and COVID-19 could be serious illnesses, especially for high-risk people such as young children, old people, pregnant women, and people with certain illnesses.
“RSV also can infect people of all ages, but infants and young children are most at risk of contracting the disease and developing serious illness,’’ she said.
“Symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, fever, sore throat, and headache.
“Symptoms in infants and babies also can include irritability or tiredness, refusal to breast or bottle feed, weight loss, and working hard to breathe or fast breathing.’’
Dr Pedgrift said vaccination was the best protection against many respiratory conditions.
She said the new seasonal influenza vaccination would become available progressively from 1 March and everyone should ensure they and their children had the vaccination for maximum protection.
“The vaccine will be free for all Queensland residents and, this year, there will also be a needle-free nasal spray flu vaccine available for children aged two to five years,’’ she said.
“Young people in particular play an important role in getting vaccinated as they are more likely to spread infections.
“You need to be vaccinated every year to keep yourself protected because flu strains change annually, and you will not be immune to these new strains which will be covered in this year’s vaccine when it becomes available.’’
When the new seasonal flu vaccine is released, it will be available at GPs and pharmacies, as well as through all primary health centres in the Torres Strait, Cape York, and Northern Peninsula Area, and at clinics at Thursday Island and Bamaga hospitals, the Weipa Integrated Health Service, and the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.
Dr Pedgrift also encouraged all residents to ensure their COVID-19 booster vaccinations were up date – with the vaccine readily available throughout the health service.
