Central Coast flu cases increase: flu vaccinations urged
There’s been 37 flu deaths in NSW and cases at Central Coast hospitals are rising. Here’s how to spot the flu, when to go to the doctor and where you can get your kids immunised for free.
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Where you can get your kids immunised for free
Health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated as the killer flu season continues.
There have been 63 confirmed deaths Australia wide, including three children in Victoria.
In NSW 37 people have died since January from flu-related illnesses and the number of confirmed cases has increased.
NSW Health’s Influenza Weekly Report shows 39 confirmed cases in the week to May 19 — an increase from the previous week when 24 cases were confirmed.
The report shows that 421 people presented at local emergency departments during that week with flu-like symptoms (up from 322 the previous week). 15 per cent of them were later confirmed cases.
Previous reports showed that the number of cases on the Central Coast tripled from January to April with 14 cases in February, 29 Cases in March and 33 cases in April.
Influenza cases continued to be higher than expected across all NSW local health districts for this time of year, and people turning up to emergency departments with respiratory symptoms are significantly higher than normal.
The A strain of the flu virus was the most commonly detected.
NSW Health’s Director of Communicable Diseases, Dr Vicky Sheppeard the best weapon against flu was vaccination and right now is the best time to have it as the flu season is already here.
“In line with last year’s reports, the latest analysis includes Births, Deaths and Marriages and flu notification data, which demonstrates that there were 37 deaths in people with confirmed flu this year, between January and 19 May, which reflects the early unseasonal flu numbers we have seen.”
Deaths in aged-care outbreaks have increased from nine to ten this year to date.
The report shows 1320 confirmed flu cases (in NSW) for the week ending 19 May, higher than the 979 notifications in the previous week and confirms flu season is here.
“It’s important to get your flu shots now as it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to provide full protection and children under nine years of age having the shot for the first time require two doses, one month apart.”
“Children are particularly susceptible to flu so parents and carers are being urged to take up the offer of the free flu vaccine for children aged from six months up to five years under the NSW Government’s $2.6 million program”
COUNCIL RUN CLINICS
Central Coast Council operates flu vaccination clinics in the former Wyong Local Government Areas.
They are on:
■ First Friday of each month — Wyong, Lake Haven and Long Jetty
■ Third Friday of each month — Long Jetty, Lake Munmorah and Lake Haven
■ Fourth Saturday of each month — Lake Haven and Long Jetty.
No appointments are necessary. For more information about the drop-in clinic locations and times, visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/immunisation.
■ From April 2018 all NSW children aged from six months to under five years of age will be offered free influenza shots. Parents not in the above areas can also access the free flu shot from their usual immunisation provider: their GP, Aboriginal Medical Service, community health centre.
FLU SYMPTOMS
People with influenza typically experience some or all of the following symptoms:
■ fever and chills
■ cough, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose
■ muscle aches, joint pains, headaches and fatigue
■ nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea (more common in children than adults).
Some symptoms may last for more than a week. Some people may also experience very mild symptoms, particularly if they have some immunity from a previous infection or vaccination.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Seek immediate medical advice if the illness quickly becomes worse or if any of the following symptoms occur:
■ shortness of breath or rapid breathing
■ chest pain
■ confusion or sudden dizziness
■ persistent vomiting.