Parents on red alert as Victoria’s record flu season continues

THE tragic death of eight-year-old Rosie has highlighted the need for parents to be wary of any sudden deterioration in their child’s health as the record flu season continues. Here’s how you can avoid the flu and prevent its spread.

• Hospitals swamped with a bad case of flu
• You could get second round of flu

THE tragic death of eight-year-old Rosie has highlighted the need for parents to be wary of any sudden deterioration in their child’s health as Victoria’s record flu season continues.

While people with ­less-severe illnesses have been asked to avoid the state’s hospitals, which are coping with more than 13,000 confirmed cases of the flu, those caring for young children and the elderly are asked to be increasingly vigilant for signs of the viral ­infection.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy urged Victorians to get the flu shot and follow good hand hygiene.

Rosie died on Friday from the flu, after her family initially thought she had a bad cold.

Paramedics were unable to revive the young cub scout at her home in Melbourne’s south east.

Her father Christian Brealey urged parents to get their kids immunised against the flu while paying tribute to his daughter.

Already this year, 95 elderly Victorians have died from the flu in aged-care residences and in the past fortnight, an eight-year-old girl and 30-year-old father have been claimed.

How to avoid the flu and prevent its spread.

However, experts believe the worst may still be to come.

Department of Health spokesman Bram Alexander said parents who were concerned their child was unwell should first consult nurse-on-call or visit a GP.

“Parents know their children better than anyone and are best placed to monitor their condition and detect anything out of the ordinary,” he said.

“If a child is unresponsive or their condition goes downhill rapidly, parents should call ­triple-0.”

Rosie died from the flu after her family initially thought she had a bad cold. Picture: Supplied

Simple measures — such as thorough hand washing, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, and staying home when sick — ­remain the best protection from the flu. For the most vulnerable groups, including the very young and elderly, flu can exasperate existing conditions or lead to pneumonia and bronchitis.

As health leaders met for a special ministerial flu roundtable yesterday to develop ­system-wide tactics to overcome the flu season, Ms Hennessy urged Victorians to not dismiss a serious illness as being a cold.

“Most importantly, don’t ­ignore flu symptoms: speak to your local doctor early and get yourself treated,” she said.

“Other simple things Vic­torians can do include practising good hand hygiene to help stop the spread of the flu.

“We also continue to urge Victorians to get the flu shot — it is not too late.”

The state’s hospitals are under severe stress as they deal with a rise in the number of flu cases. Elective surgeries have been cancelled, cubicles have been taken over in emergency departments, and private hospitals have been used by public ­patients.

The flu vaccine is free for high-risk groups including pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait populations, and those with certain medical conditions.

Anyone feeling unwell is urged to act — go to the doctor, contact NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 or call an ambulance in extreme cases.