South Australia in grip of influenza B outbreak

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...uenza-b-outbreak/story-e6frea83-1226097383904

South Australia in grip of influenza B outbreak

* From: AdelaideNow
* July 19, 2011 9:53AM

SOUTH AUSTRALIA is experiencing a surge in influenza B cases, leading to calls from SA Health's Chief Medical Officer for the public to ensure they are properly vaccinated.

There have been 982 influenza B cases so far this year, compared to just 18 at the same time last year.

SA Health's Chief Medical Officer Professor Paddy Phillips said around half those affected were aged between 5 and 19 years-old, but it was likely older South Australians would also experience an increase in flu as the season progressed...

 

[tetano]

Re: South Australia in grip of influenza B outbreak

Huge jump in influenza B cases in South Australia

INFLUENZA B - AUSTRALIA: (SOUTH AUSTRALIA), YOUNG PEOPLE
********************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Tue 19 Jul 2011
Source: ABC News [edited]
<http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-19/influenza-cases-rise/2800000>


Huge jump in influenza B cases in South Australia
-------------------------------------------------
South Australia (SA) has recorded 982 influenza B cases this year
[2011], compared with just 18 at the same [time] a year ago. SA Health
chief medical officer Paddy Phillips says many cases have been in
young people. "Around half of those affected have been aged between 5
and 19," he said. "It is likely that the older age groups will also
experience an increase in flu as the season progresses.

"This year we've seen an early start to the flu season. It started in
May and the numbers are increasing." A flu jab includes protection
against influenza B, another influenza A strain [H3N2] and H1N1.
Professor Phillips says getting vaccinated helps everyone. "The more
people in the community who are vaccinated, the more it helps to
reduce the spread of infection among family, friends, work colleagues
and the community," he said.

In all, there have been 1295 influenza cases in South Australia this
year. The Influenza Specialists Group says it has already been a bad
year for flu cases, with the number of diagnosed cases up 4 times more
than the usual rate across the nation. Chair of the group Dr Alan
Hampson says it is unclear why 2011 has been such a bad year.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap alerts via ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[This press report amplifies some of the information presented in the
most recent WHO Influenza Update. The Southern Hemisphere winter
influenza outbreak is now in full swing and so far Australia seems to
be suffering more than other countries in the hemisphere. In
particular the prevalence of influenza B virus infection in children
and young adults seems greater than elsewhere and in previous yeas.

A map of Australia showing the location of the state of South
Australia can be accessed at:
<http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/destinations/maps/australia/>. -
Mod.CP]

[see also:
Influenza (44): WHO update 20110716.2155}]

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