Winter is coming as Influenza bites the North

Influenza is biting North Queensland hard with more than 782 notifications since the beginning of the year, including 77 admissions to hospital.

The numbers are three times higher than the year to date mean of 231 notifications from 2014 to 2018.

Townsville Public Health Unit Director Dr Steven Donohue said the past fortnight had seen a significant increase in the number of cases and has urged North Queenslanders to get vaccinated.

Dr Donohue said the Government-funded vaccination is now available and has urged North Queenslanders to get their jab.

“We are seeing an outbreak of Influenza in North Queensland and with this year’s vaccine now available my advice to the community is book in now to get your jab,” he said.

“In tropical areas like North Queensland Influenza circulates more readily throughout the year but isn’t as prone to the large increases during the winter that we see in southern cities.

“What we know is Influenza is circulating through our communities now and the best protection is vaccination.

“I have the vaccine every year as does all my family for the peace of mind of avoiding an illness that can take people out of work, school or recreation for weeks at a time.”

The sudden uptick in Influenza cases has continued a sustained period of record demand on The Townsville Hospital’s emergency department with 7916 people presenting in March, an increase of 11 per cent on 2018.

Townsville Hospital emergency department director Dr Luke Lawton said since the floods the emergency department had been consistently averaging more than 255 presentations a day – up more than 30 a day from last year.

Despite the huge surge in demand Townsville Hospital’s emergency department remained the best performing in Queensland for patient off stretcher time.

“It has been a year unlike any other for so many of us here in North Queensland and that is certainly the case here in our ED as well,” he said.

“Despite this incredible increase in demand for our services I couldn’t be prouder of the team here for maintaining the best performance for our patient off-stretcher time in all of Queensland and among the top few in the nation.

“We’d just ask the community to be aware of how busy we are and people with less urgent conditions may wait longer to be seen.”

Dr Donohue said Influenza is a serious viral illness. It is not the same as a common cold and can lead to serious complications, particularly in the very young, elderly and people with complex chronic diseases.

“Free Influenza vaccine is now available to eligible Queenslanders and everyone else can purchase the vaccine from their doctor or immunisation provider,” he said.

Those eligible for the government-funded vaccine include:

children aged between six months and five years

pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy

persons 65 years of age or older

all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people 6 months of age and older

persons six months of age or older who have certain medical conditions which increase the risk of influenza disease complications.

Dr Donohue has urged people who may be visiting unwell loved ones in hospital to practice good hygiene practices.

“We know that Influenza is in the community and it can most affect people who are already unwell and in hospital,” he said.

“If you are feeling unwell and had planned to visit someone in hospital please postpone it until you are feeling better.

“If you are coming to the hospital make sure you use the handwashing facilities available and just do the basics of hygiene that your mother told you about.”

Contact: Public Affairs 4433 1016 | 0409 265 298