tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
TOWNSVILLE continues to top the list of the highest number of influenza cases in Queensland for the year to date with the effects of the south's winter flu season creeping into the city.
The latest Queensland Health figures showed Townsville had 642 cases of influenza reported to the department's public health unit so far, just edging out 627 in Brisbane's south.
Tropical Regional Services public health medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said the majority of cases in the city had occurred between January and April but there had also been cases recorded since the start of winter.
He said the tropics did not usually follow the flu pattern experienced in southern parts of the state but it appeared in some cases visitors had brought the virus north.
"In general the winter epidemics (down south) are because people stay closer together indoors," he said.
"But it's not too late to get vaccinated and there are some nasty strains going around here including swine flu strains.
"It's about staying away from work when you're sick and don't cough and sneeze on other people. Washing your hands is incredibly important to prevent getting the virus from others."
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Richard Kidd said it was lucky the large numbers of cases recorded across the state had not resulted in many hospital admissions or worse, deaths.
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http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/07/22/250421_news.html
The latest Queensland Health figures showed Townsville had 642 cases of influenza reported to the department's public health unit so far, just edging out 627 in Brisbane's south.
Tropical Regional Services public health medical officer Dr Steven Donohue said the majority of cases in the city had occurred between January and April but there had also been cases recorded since the start of winter.
He said the tropics did not usually follow the flu pattern experienced in southern parts of the state but it appeared in some cases visitors had brought the virus north.
"In general the winter epidemics (down south) are because people stay closer together indoors," he said.
"But it's not too late to get vaccinated and there are some nasty strains going around here including swine flu strains.
"It's about staying away from work when you're sick and don't cough and sneeze on other people. Washing your hands is incredibly important to prevent getting the virus from others."
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Richard Kidd said it was lucky the large numbers of cases recorded across the state had not resulted in many hospital admissions or worse, deaths.
..
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/07/22/250421_news.html