04 August 2010

Immunisation warning as severe flu cases reported

NSW Health today reported a rise in the number of severe flu cases requiring intensive care in late July.

Communicable Diseases Branch Director Dr Jeremy McAnulty said in the last few days NSW Health had received several reports of severe cases of influenza due to H1N1, the strain that caused the 2009 pandemic.

“Seven confirmed and one suspected case of severe influenza have so far been reported in the last half of July,” said Dr McAnulty.

The patients range in age from 25 to 58 years. Four are male and four female, two of whom are pregnant although in one the infection has not been confirmed. While the cases are still under investigation, not all are known to have underlying medical conditions.

“Monitoring is indicating that while influenza activity is still at reasonably low levels the trend is increasing and these cases serve as a warning for us all to get prepared,” said Dr McAnulty.

• To prevent flu:
  Get vaccinated against influenza, especially if you are at risk of severe disease or care for people who are at risk.

Other simple steps that can help keep you and your family healthier this winter include:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and running water;
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze;
• Avoid close contact with sick people ;
• Stay at home if you are sick and keep sick children at home from school and other activities.

You are at risk of severe disease if you:

• Are pregnant ;
• Have an underlying chronic medical condition, such as heart and lung disease; cancer, HIV, asthma or diabetes;
• Are morbidly obese;
• Are Aboriginal.

The Commonwealth Chief Medical officer now recommends that children from six months to less than 5 years of age may be vaccinated with Vaxigrip® and Influvac® following a discussion of the risks and benefits of these vaccines with parents and guardians.

This includes both children at risk of medical complications of influenza and healthy children. Vaccination of children in this age group with Fluvax® and Fluvax® Junior is not recommended due to the identified increase risk of febrile convulsions.

For a range of health information about flu and how to prevent it, go online to http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/PublicHealth/Infectious/influenza/index.asp