Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

[Gert van der Hoek]

Three die from severe form of flu in WA

July 6, 2007

Three children under five years of age have died in Perth in the past few days from what is believed to be a severe form of the flu, the WA Health Department says.

The department is urging parents to quickly see a doctor if their children show signs of respiratory illness.

Director of communicable disease control, Dr Paul Van Buynder, said the speed at which the three children fell ill was a concern.

"While we do not want to create unnecessary panic, it is important for parents to be aware that the disease can cause serious illness within 24 hours," Dr Van Buynder said.

"Parents whose children have cold or flu like symptoms, including a cough and a fever, should see their general practitioner."

The health department is advising all parents of young children to see a doctor for the flu vaccination if they have not already done so.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National...rm-of-flu-in-WA/2007/07/06/1183351453950.html

credits Aussieone

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Hospital queues grow amid Western Australian flu scare

Parents are waiting for hours at Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) to have their children with flu symptoms seen by a doctor.

A Health Department warning was issued last night after three children died from influenza A.

The PMH and the Saint John of God Hospital in Murdoch both say they have experienced influxes of parents wanting treatment for their children.

WA Health Department director of communicable disease control Paul Van Buynder says people calling a hotline set up last night had to wait an hour to speak to a health worker.

He says further tests are being completed to see if the dead children had any secondary infection that could have caused the virus to progress quickly.

And he confirmed that general practicioners have been put on alert to look out for more cases.

Mum Taryn Dickeson says she was concerned by what she heard overnight so she brought her two-year-old son to PMH to get him checked out.

"My mum's a nurse, so speaking to her about his symptoms she just said 'Look, take him to PMH'," she said.

"We tried to get him in to our local GP but that was a bit later in the day and we didn't want to wait. We just felt a bit unnerved by it all and thought we'll bring him in here."

http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/07/1972595.htm?section=justin

 

[Richard McC]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

More here: http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=33611

....
Pathology tests are being undertaken over the weekend to determine the exact cause of the deaths, but Health Department director of communicable disease control Paul Van Buynder suspected the children had died of secondary bacterial infections after their immune systems had been compromised by the flu virus.

It is understood at least two of the children had contracted pneumonia as a result of the virus, which could have contributed to their deaths.

All the children were aged under five and each are believed to have died within 24 hours of showing the first signs of the flu. Two died at their homes before their parents could seek medical attention and the third died before being admitted to hospital.

They all came from the metropolitan area but authorities are unaware of any links between the three children.

Some of the siblings of those who died are also believed to be recovering in hospital.

PathWest clinical virologist David Smith said the virus was the influenza A(H3) strain, which was not particularly virulent. It is one of the strains covered by this year?s flu vaccination......

 

[Commonground]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

It just seems so incredibly quick.

Van Buynder suspected the children had died of secondary bacterial infections after their immune systems had been compromised by the flu virus.

are believed to have died within 24 hours of showing the first signs of the flu

 

[Blue]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

It just seems so incredibly quick.

Yes. Twenty four hours is amazingly fast.

So, I have to ask. Wasn't Perth one of the places in Australia that had
unexplained bird deaths in the past year?

Would H3 pick up some virulent characteristics from another virus that
would cause it to kill so quickly?

 

[Richard McC]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

I'll try to keep a close eye on this one.

Local press reports suggest that the flu is the same as that recently in New Zealand (no links).

Assuming that the three deaths are an unfortunate coincidence, rather than the beginning of something nasty, the main story is that local hospitals are already being put under pressure by worried parents with kids with runny noses.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/07/1972705.htm

 

[Richard McC]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22035715-2,00.html

extract follows. New South Wales health authorities seem a mite overconfident for my liking.

Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) spokeswoman Robyn Lawrence said the hospital had been inundated since the warning was issued.

?We have been very busy yesterday after the public announcement,? Dr Lawrence told Ten News.

?We saw 237 patients yesterday, which was an increase of 60 per cent compared to the previous Friday.?

Those seeking more information or advice on where to find their nearest after hours medical clinic can call 1800 020 080 or 1800 022 222.

In NSW, health authorities remained confident there would be no outbreak of severe flu on the east coast.

 

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

The bird deaths---falling out of the sky---were in Esperance, Western Australia--(to the east around 5oo kilometers), and other locations.

Feb.8, 2007 article:


http://www.theage.com.au/news/Natio...-continue-in-WA/2007/02/08/1170524237193.html


Mystery bird deaths continue in WA



February 8, 2007

More mass bird deaths have been reported in Western Australia but authorities do not believe they are related to the mystery scourge that killed thousands of birds in the state's south.

WA's Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has been unable to determine what killed up to 4,000 nectar-eating birds in and around Esperance between December 7 and January 2.

The birds, mostly yellow-throated miners, wattle birds, new Holland honeyeaters and silvereyes, plus some seagulls and pigeons, were found dead near water sources such as sprinklers and water tanks.

The DEC said bird viruses and bacteriological causes had been ruled out as the cause of death and toxins were still the most likely culprit.

DEC Nature Protection Branch manager Dave Mell said the department had recently received reports of groups of dead birds - up to as many as 200 - at Yealering, Kellerberrin, Cunderdin, Kulin and Kukerin, in the state's wheatbelt.

But Mr Mell said he did not believe the deaths were related to those around Esperance.

"The recent deaths have coincided with high temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius and strong winds, and we believe it's most likely the deaths can be attributed to the extreme weather conditions," Mr Mell said.

He asked people to contact the DEC immediately if they noticed clusters of birds dying.

"Unfortunately, if people don't contact DEC until days following the discoveries, we are unable to collect suitable samples for analysis," he said.

"If you do notice groups of birds dying on your property, contact your nearest DEC office and, where possible, we will arrange to collect samples."

The birds reported were mostly ring-necked parrots with numbers ranging from a few up to 200.

The DEC has also ruled out any connection between the Esperance bird deaths and the death of about 200 treemartins at a house in Narembeen, 240km east of Perth and 380km from Esperance, in early January.

The DEC believes those birds also died because of "extreme weather".

 

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

A secondary infection has not been confirmed

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22035711-5005961,00.html


Hundreds pack WA hospitals in flu scare

By Simon Mossman and Nikki Todd

July 07, 2007 07:51pm

HUNDREDS of concerned parents have packed hospital emergency departments across Perth following an influenza warning from health authorities after the deaths of three young children.

Their action was prompted by a call from Western Australia's Department of Health urging parents to seek early medical attention for young children showing signs of respiratory illness.

Local GPs were also swamped and complained they had not been given enough warning to prepare for the higher demand on their services.

The health department's warning followed the death of three children, all aged under five, in the Perth metropolitan area in recent days.

It has been confirmed the three children died from the type A strain of the influenza virus, which can be controlled by vaccination.

Director of Communicable Disease Control Paul Van Buynder said there was no need for panic, as it was suspected the three young victims also had a secondary bacterial infection.

However, this was yet to be confirmed by the coroner.

But Dr Van Buynder said it was still wise for parents to closely monitor their children and to have them vaccinated against flu if possible.

?We are saying to parents that if your child is unwell or feverish, have a lower threshold for seeking care,? Dr Van Buynder said.

?But certainly there shouldn't be any need to panic over some sort of new killer virus or anything like that.?

Family doctors in Perth lamented not being given sufficient notice to bring in extra staff to cope with higher demand over the weekend.

?We've been contacted by general practitioners who have said they would have preferred to have been contacted before the health department issued its message through the media,? Professor Geoff Dobb, WA president of the Australian Medical Association (AWA), said.

Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) spokeswoman Robyn Lawrence said the hospital had been inundated since the warning was issued.

?We have been very busy yesterday after the public announcement,? Dr Lawrence told Ten News.

?We saw 237 patients yesterday, which was an increase of 60 per cent compared to the previous Friday.?

Those seeking more information or advice on where to find their nearest after hours medical clinic can call 1800 020 080 or 1800 022 222.

In NSW, health authorities remained confident there would be no outbreak of severe flu on the east coast.

Director of Communicable Diseases at NSW Health, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the annual flu season had arrived in NSW but there was no data to suggest anything more serious than usual.

 

[Richard McC]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Johnny Yuma

The Esperance bird deaths were caused by lead poisoning, probably from dangerous port transport practices. No connection.

http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/portal/page?_pageid=157,6427791&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

 

[Blue]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

The bird deaths---falling out of the sky---were in Esperance, Western Australia--(to the east around 5oo kilometers), and other locations.

Thanks, I just figured that out also. Specimens were sent to Perth and
that stuck in my mind.

 

[Richard McC]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

http://www.crofsblogs.typepad.com/h5n1/ says it for me:

"this is highly unlikely to be anything but a nasty version of seasonal flu. But this kind of response, from the public and the healthcare providers, is a preview of what a pandemic could be like on its first weekend."

 

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Queensland state warns residents of possible flu spread. It is on the Northeast side of Australia. Perth is on the Southwest side.

http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,23739,22034209-5003426,00.html



Deadly flu warning

Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

By Hannah Davies

July 08, 2007 12:00am

A KILLER flu could hit Queensland in a matter of days, health experts have warned.

Three Perth children have died from what is believed to be a severe form of flu, sparking fears the virus could soon spread here.

Queensland Health is urging parents to see a doctor if their children show any signs of respiratory illness.

Young children with lung and heart problems or diabetes are considered more at risk and it is recommended they are vaccinated as soon as possible.

Dr Christine Selvey, senior director of communicable diseases at Queensland Health, said the bug could easily travel from Western Australia.

"Any contagious disease can spread," she said. "All it takes is for someone with a cough in Perth to get on a plane to the Gold Coast.

"There is no indication that it is an abnormal strain of flu but if at any point parents are concerned, they should take their child to the GP immediately.

"The flu season has already started, but it's not too late to get vaccinated."

Parents should look out for fever, muscle aches and coughs, as well as diarrhoea and vomiting.

Dr Deborah Mills, a GP at the Travel Medicine Centre in Brisbane City, urged parents not to worry unnecessarily.

"Generally speaking, until these three deaths in Western Australia, the flu hasn't been considered harmful," she said.

"What has happened is tragic for the families affected, and parents should be vigilant towards the health of their children, but I don't think there is a need to panic just yet.

"It is usually elderly people who die from it or children who have other conditions such as cystic fibrosis or cerebral palsy."

Dr Mills said parents should consider being vaccinated themselves to help stop the spread of the virus, even if they didn't consider it a routine childhood vaccine.

The WA director of communicable disease control, Dr Paul Van Buynder, said the speed at which the three children fell ill was a concern.

"While we do not want to create unnecessary panic, it is important for parents to be aware that the disease can cause serious illness within 24 hours," he said.

 

[Johnny Yuma]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

The Gold Coast is Eastern Australia:

Hospitals fear killer flu outbreak

07Jul07

GOLD Coast doctors are bracing themselves for a severe flu that has the potential to kill young children within a day.

The fear comes after three Perth children, all aged under five, died from the fatal strain in the past 72 hours.

Staff at The Gold Coast Hospital admitted its Emergency Department had been bursting at the seems with 'traditional winter-bed demand' exacerbated by a colder-than-normal winter.

One local general practitioner told The Gold Coast Bulletin he had treated four patients suffering from pneumonia in a single morning this week.

The doctor, who wanted to keep patient confidentiality, said the number of serious flu-like diseases had skyrocketed in recent days.

The increase in hospitalisation for the flu played a role in the number of public and private hospitals going on bypass recently.

In further concerns for health authorities, maximum temperatures are expected to be 17C tomorrow.

The Western Australian Department of Health last night urged parents to see a doctor if children were showing signs of respiratory illness.

The department's director of communicable disease control, Dr Paul Van Buynder, said the speed at which the three children fell ill was a grave concern.

"While we do not want to create unnecessary panic, it is important for parents to be aware that the disease can cause serious illness within 24 hours," he said.

A Gold Coast Hospital spokeswoman admitted winter was a difficult time for hospitals.

"It's is a busy time for hospitals Australia wide," she said.

"There are a range of processes in place for each public hospital to manage the seasonal increase in the number of patients."

The WA Health Department advised all parents of young children to see a doctor for the flu vaccination if they had not already done so.

"Parents whose children have cold- or flu-like symptoms, including a cough and a fever, should see their general practitioner," said Dr Van Buynder.

He said one of the children had been identified with having the influenza A virus, which is covered by this year's flu vaccine, and it was likely all three children had that strain of the virus.

The children became critically sick within a day.

"It's not about large numbers ... we had three children who got sick very quickly," he said.

Two of the children fell ill in Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital for Children and tests revealed they had developed a form of pneumonia.

"Samples taken from the two children who died in hospital suggested they had secondary bacterial pneumonia," he said.

"We'll be able to confirm that over the next few days."

The third child did not receive hospital treatment.

It is not known if there are more children suffering from the virus in Perth or if it had moved across to the eastern states.

http://www.gcbulletin.com.au/article/2007/07/07/6169_news.html

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Doctors face busy night amid WA flu scare


Health workers in Western Australia are preparing for another busy night as anxious parents seek medical attention for young children who have flu symptoms.
The Health Department has advised parents whose children have a fever, headache, runny nose or a cough to take them to a doctor after the deaths of three children in Perth in the past week.
All of the children had Influenza AH3 strain and tests are under way to determine if they had any other infections.
A spokeswoman for Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital says doctors are already extremely busy examining sick children.
The department is advising all concerned parents to call its Health Direct Service for information about where their local after hours GP is.
The department also says parents who call the service should only have to wait five minutes to speak to a nurse about their child's symptoms.
The Health Direct Service number is 1800 020 080.:tiphat: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/07/1972705.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Flu warning 'should have been issued earlier'

Posted Sat Jul 7, 2007 4:26pm AEST

• Map: Perth 6000

The Council of General Practitioners says the Western Australian Health Department should have issued its flu warning to parents earlier than yesterday afternoon to give hospitals and doctors a chance to cope with demand.
Three Perth children under the age of five have died in the past week and tests have shown they all carried the influenza A strain.
The Department issued a warning last night for parents to seek early medical attention if their child has flu-like symptoms.
The Council's Doctor Steve Wilson says Friday afternoon was too late to issue the warning as hospitals and practices were not able to rearrange rosters and add staff.
Dr Wilson says his Perth practice is at full capacity today and he is having to turn people away.
"Certainly if they had the heads up on this earlier in the week, an earlier notification would've been useful because we might've been able to change our rosters," he said.
"Maybe cancel some scheduled appointments and make sure we had adequate capacity to take emergencies which of course is always the issue with general practice."
The Health Department's director of communicable disease control Doctor Paul Van Buynder says further tests are expected to show a second bacterial infection caused the rapid progress of the illness resulting in the deaths.
He says warnings were sent out when virologists confirmed the virus was present.
"The public warning in fact went out before we had definitive data about the possible other organisms involved and it was certainly put out the same time as we sent a message to our health information lines and to all general practitioners and the emergency departments," Dr Van Buynder said.
Taryn Dickeson says she brought her two-year-old to Princess Margaret Hospital because she could not get an appointment with a GP until later today.
She says she was unnerved after hearing about the deaths of the three children, and wanted to get her son examined.
"Well I guess we've probably been concerned with what we've heard in the last 24 hours with other things going on, but I myself have been sick all week," she said.
"Jack came down with a bit of a temperature last night, had a restless night with him, and he was very lethargic and non-committal this morning.":tiphat: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/07/1972638.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Sick, elderly urged to vaccinate against flu

Posted Sat Jul 7, 2007 12:00pm AEST

• Map: Brisbane 4000

Queensland doctors are urging the elderly and those with weak immune systems to be vaccinated against the latest strains of the influenza virus.
The warning follows the deaths of three children from a suspected flu virus in Western Australia.
Dr Shaun Rudd, from the Australian Medical Association's Queensland branch, says the deaths are a reminder of how dangerous the flu virus can be.
"Flu knows no borders and it moves may move around the world each year," he said.
"I think that it just again confirms that we make sure we do the right thing and the most important thing is to immunise people who are more likely to run into problems with the flu then not."
Dr Rudd says anyone who contracts the virus should abandon the idea of soldiering on at work.
"Because all they're going to do is spread the virus around," he said.
"They're far, far better to stay at home and for people who want to prevent the virus, the other thing is just simple cleanliness, make sure you wash your hands before you eat - that sort of thing. That's really all you can do.":tiphat: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/07/1972580.htm

 

[vinny]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

is it possible for the flu to kill this quickly i mean pnuemonia set in rather fast didnt it.

 

[Jonesie]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

Is there a vaccine available in the USA to protect children from this Influenza AH3 strain?

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Australia: 3 children die from severe form of flu

.......Would H3 pick up some virulent characteristics from another virus that would cause it to kill so quickly?

Good question.

Hopefully they'll test and release sequences of these cases.

.