North West residents are being urged to take precautions to avoid influenza and ensure their flu jabs are up to date after an outbreak of the virus on Mornington Island.
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North West and Townsville Public Health Unit Director Dr Steven Donohue said 11 cases of Influenza A had been confirmed on Mornington in the past week.
“However, notified cases are always only the tip of the iceberg,’’ Dr Donohue said.
“More cases occur who may not be so sick as to go to the doctor or their health service, or may not be tested.
“We must remain vigilant during 2019 because, as we saw with a spike in cases state-wide in late 2018, flu can occur at any time of the year and every flu season can be different.
“Being vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu.
“You need to be vaccinated every year to keep yourself protected, because vaccine protection slowly wears off, and flu strains may change annually so you might not be immune to newer strains.
“If you didn’t have your flu vaccination last year, you can still go and get vaccinated.
“This will provide some protection until the new season 2019 flu vaccine becomes available in April/May.
“It’s also important for pregnant women to get vaccinated against flu at any time of the year to protect themselves and their newborns.
“The flu can be high risk for pregnant women, creating a greater chance of serious problems for their unborn babies and possibly leading to premature labour.
“I’d also encourage people to continue practising good health hygiene like washing hands regularly, covering a cough with a tissue or arm, and staying at home if they’re ill.
“All these measures can also help prevent the spread of influenza.
“While healthy adults usually recover quite well, influenza infection can lead to other medical complications such as pneumonia.’’
Dr Donohue said a free influenza vaccine was available for all adults aged 65 years and older, all pregnant women, all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 15 years and older, and all individuals 6 months and older with medical conditions predisposing them to severe influenza.
People not covered by the free vaccine will need to pay a fee depending on their individual immunisation provider. A consultation fee may also apply at a private GP.
“In addition to the Commonwealth-funded free vaccination program, the Queensland Government is also funding a Childhood Influenza Program for all children aged from six months to under five years,’’ Dr Donohue said.
The free flu vaccination is available through North West HHS primary health care centres, as well as from other immunisation providers in the region such as private GPs and non- government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.
