Infectious diseases on the rise across Queensland

Health experts are urging Queenslanders to stay vigilant and get vaccinated for a number of infectious and possibly life-threatening diseases after a surge in cases across the state.

Health experts are urging Queenslanders to stay vigilant and get vaccinated for a number of infectious and possibly life threatening diseases following large outbreaks this year.

Group A Streptococcal – an infectious disease that causes sore, red and pus on the throat or tonsils, pain swallowing, fever and chills, nausea, headaches and muscle aches – numbers have increased from 84 last year to 166 this year.

Data also shows a significant speed in the spread with Group A Streptococcal numbers increasing by 70 from 96 last year to 166.

Meanwhile, Pneumonia – a disease which causes pus or phlegm coughs, fever, chills and difficulty breathing – cases have almost doubled from the same time last year sitting at 49 in 2022 and 82 this year.

Dr Paul Griffin said the rise in Group A Streptococcal between the start of March to now was “very significant.”. Pic: Generic

Pre-pandemic data suggests that both infections are sitting above what they were before Covid-19.

Group A Streptococcal, which sat at 92 in 2019 and 105 in 2020, has increased following a drop through Covid-19.

Pneumonia numbers have also shown natural increase since sitting at 69 in 2019 and 2020.

Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services Paul Griffin said the rise in Group A Streptococcal between the start of March to now was “very significant.”

“Since seeing a lot of viral diseases rebound after Covid, this could be a trigger for developing into Group A Strep or Pneumonia,” Dr Griffin said.

A number of other gastro infections including Typhoid and Yersinia have also increased this year, which Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Infectious Disease Associate Professor Krispin Hajkowicz said was likely due to an increase in travel.

“People can cut out a lot of these cases just with a vaccine before travelling a minimum of 4 weeks before leaving so it’s a little bit disappointing to see these numbers,” he said.

Dr Griffin said rates of disease numbers fluctuate but we have certainly seen rates increase.

“We know that the mitigating strategies for Covid worked for a large amount of infections, so we saw lower rates for a period of time and they’ve all rebounded to a degree,” Dr Griffin said.

Pneumonia cases have almost doubled from the same time last year sitting at 49 in 2022 and 82 in 2023.

Dr Griffin said while they do not want to “alarm people,” basic awareness of case rises and prevention is important.

“Simple things like hand hygiene makes such a big difference,” he said.

Dr Griffin said it does not take a big strain to make things in hospitals more challenging which we have already seen with the flu and Covid.

A Queensland Health Spokesperson agreed other invasive diseases including chickenpox and flu could increase the risk of Group A Streptococcal.

“We have advised clinicians to be alert for signs and symptoms of sepsis and invasive diseases.”

The spokesperson acknowledged there has been an increase in invasive diseases including group A Streptococcal and invasive pneumococcal diseases in Queensland this year compared to before the pandemic.

“All Queenslanders play an important role in limiting the spread of infectious diseases. This includes practising good hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or inside of your arm, and staying at home when sick.”

“Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to ensure children are up to date with all recommended vaccinations, including the annual influenza vaccination,” they said.