Covid-19, Strep A, Influenza and Gastro among several illnesses on the rise in Queensland

Medical experts say numerous illnesses are on the rise across Queensland this year, as they confirm people will be more likely to catch them due to Covid-19 protocols.

Multiple diseases are running rampant across Queensland, with an infectious disease expert warning people are more susceptible post-Covid-19 thanks to the protection measures put in place throughout the start of the pandemic.

Recently released Queensland Health statistics found there were 2270 influenza infections recorded from January 1 to March 5 this year.

In the same period in 2022, only five infections were recorded.

The data stated 2008 Campylobacter (a type of gastroenteritis) infections were recorded in the same time so far this year, compared to 1664 recorded in the same few months of 2022.

There were 96 recorded cases of Group A streptococcal disease, commonly referred to as strep A, through to March 5 this year, while 38 infections were recorded in 2022.

Paul and Olga Williams of Brisbane said their two-year-old daughter, Nicole, died in February from strep A that they said was misdiagnosed.

Infectious disease expert Associate Professor Paul Griffin said while Covid-19 measures were in place in early 2022, fewer people were getting other illnesses, while this year strep A, influenza, gastro and Covid-19 were circulating quite rapidly.

“We know if people aren’t exposed – their protection from past exposure can dispose at time,” he said.

“We saw little of those types of infections so people’s susceptibility has increased a little due to lack of exposure.”

A woman is seen wearing a mask in Brisbane.

Dr Griffin said the measures introduced throughout the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, like social distancing, mask wearing and increased hand hygiene, helped protect people from other infections.

“I think we’ve completely undone those measures, we are seeing a rebound in those sorts of things,” he said.

“We do need people to understand that we still had Covid and all the things we used to have.”

The director of infectious diseases at Brisbane’s Mater Health Services said the flu season was expected to be potentially greater than usual.

“If we combine that with significant rates of Covid patients, those two together could be a big challenge for us,” Dr Griffin said.

“We know our health system already stretches at capacity at baseline.

“I think a lot of people have the impression Covid is over and gone, that’s not the case.

“At the moment we are seeing Covid on the rise again, we are certainly seeing more Covid again in hospital.”

Dr Sonu Haickerwal, from the Gold Coast’s Haan Health Medical Centre in Broadbeach, said she was also seeing more flu-like symptoms so far this year.

“We are seeing asthmatics getting flare ups, unfortunately those patients get the worst of it with weather change and the rain has not helped,” she said.

“There’s been a spike over the last couple of weeks and winters are always worse.”

Originally published as Covid-19, Strep A, Influenza and Gastro among several illnesses on the rise in Queensland