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Swine flu toll mounting in NSW
AAP June 26, 2009, 4:42 pm
A five-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy with swine flu have been admitted to NSW hospital intensive care units as the infection continues to spread, NSW Health says.
The children are among four swine flu sufferers who are currently in isolation in NSW hospitals.
The girl had no pre-existing medical risk factors for severe influenza, while the boy had a medical history of asthma.
"This is the very confronting side of H1N1 Influenza 09 that can't and shouldn't be dismissed," NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said in a statement.
"What these cases highlight is that, although mild in many people, H1N1 Influenza 09 can be severe in some, especially those with underlying medical conditions."
A total of 3,280 people in NSW have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly virus, and there are a further 653 suspected cases.
NSW Health warned that previously minor outbreaks of the virus has led to an "increasing level of community transmission" and urged people to take precautions such as washing hands regularly or staying away from work.
A NSW Health spokeswoman confirmed that meant the virus is spreading with greater efficiency across affected parts of the country.
"I want to again alert those vulnerable members of our community to be especially vigilant - pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, respiratory, heart and renal disease, and indigenous Australians," Dr Chant said.
It was confirmed on Thursday that St Joseph's College, Hunter Hill, has shut several days before the end of term after five students tested positive for the H1N1 virus along with other suspected cases.
"We are seeing a big increase compared to the same stage of the flu season, last year, and the increase is predominantly in five- to 16 year olds," Dr Chant added.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5683526/swine-flu-toll-mounting-in-nsw/
AAP June 26, 2009, 4:42 pm
A five-year-old girl and nine-year-old boy with swine flu have been admitted to NSW hospital intensive care units as the infection continues to spread, NSW Health says.
The children are among four swine flu sufferers who are currently in isolation in NSW hospitals.
The girl had no pre-existing medical risk factors for severe influenza, while the boy had a medical history of asthma.
"This is the very confronting side of H1N1 Influenza 09 that can't and shouldn't be dismissed," NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said in a statement.
"What these cases highlight is that, although mild in many people, H1N1 Influenza 09 can be severe in some, especially those with underlying medical conditions."
A total of 3,280 people in NSW have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly virus, and there are a further 653 suspected cases.
NSW Health warned that previously minor outbreaks of the virus has led to an "increasing level of community transmission" and urged people to take precautions such as washing hands regularly or staying away from work.
A NSW Health spokeswoman confirmed that meant the virus is spreading with greater efficiency across affected parts of the country.
"I want to again alert those vulnerable members of our community to be especially vigilant - pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, respiratory, heart and renal disease, and indigenous Australians," Dr Chant said.
It was confirmed on Thursday that St Joseph's College, Hunter Hill, has shut several days before the end of term after five students tested positive for the H1N1 virus along with other suspected cases.
"We are seeing a big increase compared to the same stage of the flu season, last year, and the increase is predominantly in five- to 16 year olds," Dr Chant added.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/5683526/swine-flu-toll-mounting-in-nsw/