Queensland: flu cases up 50 per cent

[tetano]

Flu cases in Queensland have increased by more than half since last year, causing concern among doctors about an early on-set of flu season.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland has revealed close to 1600 cases of flu have been reported across the state this year, with as many as 460 cases reported over the last five weeks alone.

As many as 30 per cent of the flu cases reported were the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.
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President Gino Pecoraro said it was unusual to see seasonal flu early in the year.

"It may be related to the fact we had a particularly wet summer and so people have been indoors rather than outdoors," he said.

"When you have people close together it is much easier to spread the virus because it is spread by infection in the air."

Dr Pecoraro urged residents to take precautions such as covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and using antiseptic hand washes.

The organisation has also stressed the need for Queenslanders to be vaccinated against the flu, even if they have already endured what they believed to be the virus.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...50-per-cent-20110601-1ffn7.html#ixzz1O0Hh7Bwh

 

[tetano]

Re: Queensland: flu cases up 50 per cent

Flu season strikes early

WINTER may have only begun, but the flu season has hit early this year, with close to 1600 cases already reported.

With this in mind, AMA Queensland is urging south-west Brisbane residents to take precautions to stop the virus spreading.

AMA Queensland president Dr Gino Pecoraro said the average number of cases reported per month had increased by more than 50% from last year.

?The wild, unseasonable weather the state has endured this year may be one of the reasons why we have seen such a large number of flu cases between January and May,? he said.

?Queensland Health has reported more than 460 cases of the influenza virus in the past five weeks alone, and almost 30% of these cases were the pandemic H1N1 influenza or swine flu.

?It is unusual to see the seasonal flu early in the year and we are asking everyone to observe good health and hygiene practices to avoid a further spike in illness.?

AMA Queensland president-elect and general practitioner Dr Richard Kidd said including a few simple practices in the daily routine can make all the difference.

http://www.thesatellite.com.au/story/2011/06/06/flu-season-strikes-early/

 

[JimO]

Re: Queensland: flu cases up 50 per cent

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/06/08/doctors-brace-for-influenza-epidemic/

Doctors brace for influenza epidemic
8th June 2011

DOCTORS are preparing for what could become a horror flu season as the number of influenza cases surges.

There have already been 1790 notifications of influenza in Queensland so far this year, compared with 343 last year.

Around a quarter of the reported cases were the dreaded influenza A H1N1, swine flu strain.

Figures show the Sunshine Coast seasonal influenza infection rates per 100,000 are 21.8.

The region has had 81 cases this year, 25 more than the neighbouring Wide Bay region, 13 more than the Gold Coast and six more than Rockhampton.

The figure could be much higher, as this is just those who were sick enough to seek medical attention.

...more at link