Northern Rivers grapples with slew of infectious illnesses as winter comes to an end

Northern NSW residents are being struck by a slew of particularly nasty illnesses as winter comes to an end. Medicos have urged the community to help drive down transmission.

Influenza A (strain under a microscope) and other illnesses have been hitting the region hard near the end of winter.

Northern NSW residents have increasingly been struck by a raft of particularly nasty illnesses as winter comes to an end, ranging from the flu to whooping cough.

NSW Health and Northern NSW Local Health District confirmed health workers have been dealing with influenza, pneumonia, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus and whooping cough doing the rounds.

A group of six at a property at Lawrence, near Grafton all fell ill within a week of one another and suffered significant coughing, weakness, difficulty breathing and even trouble walking, according to a Facebook post warning others.

One resident reported she attended Maclean District Hospital and had later noticed quite a few others in the community struggling through similar illnesses.

Robbie Auld, NSW Health’s assistant director of North Coast Population and Public Health,

Robbie Auld, NSW Health’s assistant director of North Coast Population and Public Health, said residents should seek medical help if affected.

He also urged the community to practice methods to drive down transmission, like avoiding public places when ill.

“We encourage the Northern NSW community to continue to protect themselves and others against respiratory illness such as influenza … Covid-19 and RSV are also circulating in the Northern NSW community, however, notifications of these respiratory illnesses are decreasing,” he said.

Authorities are urging people to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing.

Mr Auld warned whooping cough (pertussis) has been circulating statewide and could be “particularly dangerous in young babies”.

There has been a rise in influenza notifications locally, Mr Auld said, pointing to the latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report.

Mr Auld advised the community to phone their GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 if they needed help or advice.

Healthdirect is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A registered nurse will answer, ask questions and connect you with appropriate medical assistance.

Phone triple-0 immediately if you or someone you know is facing symptoms including shortness of breath, rapid breathing at rest, significant chest pain or pressure, confusion, or dizziness, or persistent vomiting.