Health chief warns return to school will worsen current Qld spike in viruses
The state’s chief health officer has warned Queenslanders to prepare for a spike in illnesses as children return to school and COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases continue to climb.
Dr John Gerrard said large parts of the state, particularly the south-east, are in the grip of a flu outbreak with the highest number of cases in children and influenza A of particular concern.
“Just three weeks ago we were seeing an average of three children per day in hospital with flu.
Last week that had increased to 20 children per day and right now it is on track to be above 50 per day within the next two to three weeks.”
Daycare centres and schools – already potent breeding grounds for sickness – are likely to experience increased rates of transmission from Monday, with adults expected to bear the brunt of the spread in coming weeks.
In a statement released on Sunday, Gerrard said the momentum of the surge could be halted if eligible people get their free flu vaccine now.
“It is not too late to get vaccinated,” he said.
“Vaccination is particularly important to protect some of the most vulnerable members of the community.”
Children under five years of age and people over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of complications from the flu.
From January to the end of June, there were 24,256 influenza cases, with 10 per cent requiring hospitalisation. In the last week in June there were 2666 cases.
In March this year, Premier Steven Miles announced free flu vaccinations for all Queenslanders over the age of six months.
This came after hundreds of hospitalisations and 11 deaths from influenza, all before the official flu season of May to October.
Gerrard emphasised that the current spike is occurring a month before the peak of flu season, with thousands of Queenslanders continuing to present to hospitals for care.
“Most people presenting to our hospitals with the flu are unvaccinated, which is putting extra pressure on our busy emergency departments,” he said.
There has been a significant rise in cases RSV, a virus that mostly affects young children and can lead to breathing problems in babies, this year, with 17,628 cases recorded between January and May.
Queensland Chief Health Officer John Gerrard has urged those eligible to get vaccinated ahead of peak flu season in mid-August. Credit: Dan Peled/ Getty Images
While RSV cases have declined recently, Gerrard said the virus is still prevalent in the community.
“The number of cases has doubled compared to the same time last year [January to end of June] and most of those hospitalised with RSV are under two years of age.
While concerning, the situation could have been much worse if not for Queensland’s free RSV immunisation program for infants and young children.”
Queensland Health also warned of several COVID sub-variants circulating with health agencies yet to establish a seasonal pattern.
“We’re experiencing at least two waves per year, apparently associated with fluctuating immunity in the community and with new sub variants,” Gerrard said.
“COVID-19 is not going away; in fact it continues to mutate and will keep striking in waves.”