Influenza cases skyrocket in Sydney’s south east
Influenza cases skyrocketed during the first four months of 2019 in Sydney’s south east, prompting an urgent call for residents to receive their flu shots before things turn ‘deadly’.
Residents in Sydney’s south east have been urged to book in flu shots, after officials revealed cases of influenza have more than doubled in the region compared to the same time last year.
Professor Mark Ferson, the director of public health for the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, said there had been more than 9600 confirmed influenza cases in NSW since the turn of the year.
In the health district itself, there have already been more than 1660 cases in the first four months of 2019, he said.
“This compares to 692 cases for the same period last year, and 535 for the same period in 2017 — which was one of the worst flu seasons on record,” Prof Ferson said.
“Vaccination is the best way to be protected against the flu. One million flu vaccines have
now been delivered across the state.”
Pregnant women, young children and elderly people are the focus of this year’s flu campaign.
Prof Ferson said residents being complacent in the face of an influenza outbreak could pay the ultimate price.
“While we might all take flu for granted as a common winter disease, it can be deadly,” he said.
“In 2017, we had a significant flu season where more than 650 people died across the state.”
Influenza is a highly-contagious respirator illness caused by the influenza virus. It is not the ‘common cold’.
Free flu vaccines are available for pregnant women, Aboriginal people, people aged over 65, and patients with conditions including asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
Children aged six months to five years are also able to get free shots under a new $2.6 million program rolled out by the NSW Government.
National figures show young children aged between six to 23 months are the most likely to be hospitalised due to influenza, with 100 per 100,000 ending up needing treatment.
People should call their GP of pharmacist to book their flu shots.
Details: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/Influenza/Pages/default.aspx
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