Boy, 2, dies from influenza A at Gladstone Hospital as new figures reveal more than 16,500 influenza cases in Queensland
New figures released by Queensland Health show influenza cases have almost tripled the five-year average so far this flu season. It comes as the Gladstone community grieves for a two-year-old boy lost to the influenza A strain - something the local MP has described as “tragic”. Full details here.
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The death of a two-year-old boy from influenza A at Gladstone Hospital in Central Queensland has been described as “tragic” by the local MP, as new figures reveal a huge spike in flu cases across the state.
On Friday, Queensland Health revealed that statewide, there had been 16,503 influenza notifications in the 2022 year to date, which is 2.7 times the previous five-year average of 6041.8.
The latest available data to June 5 also shows that in Central Queensland, the region where the Gladstone toddler became the first young child in Queensland to die from the virus this season, there have been 431 influenza notifications so far in 2022.
That is 2.2 times the previous five-year average for the same period of 192.6.
In CQ, there were 140 influenza notifications in the most recent week of available data (May 30 to June 5) and 155 in the previous week (May 23 to May 29).
Queensland Health confirmed there were 11 patients in CQ hospitals with confirmed influenza in the week of May 30 to June 5.
It is unclear whether the young boy who died at Gladstone was vaccinated or not.
Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher described the little boy’s death as tragic.
“(It‘s) always tragic to see the death of such a young baby and my thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time,” Mr Butcher said.
In Townsville on Friday, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said she had not been fully briefed on the circumstances of the two-year-old’s death at Gladstone.
“Any loss of life and especially a child is devastating, absolutely, no matter what the circumstances are behind it,” Ms D’Ath said.
“And our condolences go out to the family and friends of that child,” she said.
The child’s death has been reported to the Coroner.
The Queensland Government previously announced that from May 24 until June 30, 2022, it would be offering free influenza vaccinations to all Queenslanders over six months of age.
CQ Health chief executive Dr Emma McCahon said whenever an unexpected death occurred a review was conducted to ensure all care delivered was appropriate, and to identify potential improvements.
“The death of a young child is distressing to everyone - the family, the community and our staff,” she said.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the family.
“We will do what we can to support the family and our team members at this difficult time.”
Meanwhile CQ Health announced on Friday it was closing its Covid-19 PCR testing clinics as the health service returned to “business as usual”.
Dr McCahon said that, due to declining demand and a good supply of rapid antigen tests (RAT), it was time to move health service staff back to their usual jobs.
“Our teams have done an incredible job keeping our community safe since Covid first started ramping up in 2020,” she said.
“We’ve had enormous support from not just doctors, nurses and pathology staff, but all the other staff needed to make these clinics happen.
“Often at very short notice, our teams put their hands up to get testing and vaccination clinics up and running to meet a huge demand from the community.”
She also thanked the community for doing the right thing in getting tested.
“The response was amazing from our residents keen to protect themselves, their families and the vulnerable members of the community by preventing the spread of Covid-19.
“This really has been a great team effort.”
The Gladstone Fever Clinic will close on Friday, June 10, while the Rockhampton Fever Clinic will close on Sunday, June 12.
Up to Thursday, June 9, CQ Health finalised 137,790 tests, with 65,976 in Rockhampton and 38,695 in Gladstone.
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