Other news - May 2015

In March and April 2015, NSW Health issued advice about:

• Taking extra precautions to protect against mosquitoes following a seven fold increase in detections of the mosquito-borne virus Ross River Fever across the State compared with this time last year. See: NSW says protect against mosquitoes after huge jump in Ross River detection (18 March 2015)
• Provision of free vaccinations by NSW Health against pertussis (whooping cough) to pregnant women after evidence showed it lessened the risk of infants catching the potentially fatal infection. See: NSW Health to provide free whooping cough vaccinations for pregnant women in their third trimester (7 April 2015)
• The anticipated commencement of smoke-free commercial outdoor dining on 6 July 2015 under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000. See: Three months to go until smoke-free outdoor dining comes in (13 April 2015)
• Ways of reducing the risk of injury, sickness or infection following the recent storms and flooding. See: Maintaining health after floods and storms (23 April 2015)
• Impact of power outages during the recent storms on medicines that require refrigeration and what steps to take. See: NSW storms: Health advice on medicines requiring refrigeration (24 April 2015)
• Checking vaccinations are up to date prior to travelling overseas. See: NSW Health issues measles alert after two infected travellers return from India (27 April 2015) and also: NSW Health reminds travellers to get vaccinated after influenza outbreaks (6 May 2015)

During March and April 2015, the Communicable Diseases Branch reported:

• Infant botulism – one new case, not associated with formula
• Gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutions – There were 13 outbreaks of gastroenteritis in an institution.
• Legionnaires’ disease – two new cases
• Ross River virus – notifications remain well above the average
• Cryptosporidiosis – increased notifications although not to the level seen in 2013.
• Sexually transmitted infections – third and fourth quarter 2014 data report released
• World Tuberculosis (TB) Day - was celebrated on 24 March.
• Barmah Forest virus - increased notifications on the north coast
• Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) Infection and Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) - one case of STEC and one case of HUS in siblings
• Influenza – Early and unseasonal increase in activity
• Australian Bat Lyssavirus – Bat tested positive in Hunter New England
• Food Safety and World Health Day – 7 April
• Measles – in an unvaccinated traveller
• Invasive meningococcal disease – four cases so far this month
• Pertussis – the announcement of the antenatal vaccination program

See: Communicable Diseases Weekly Report​​​​​​​​​