Jul 18 2011
The Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) is today warning that high rates of influenza outbreaks have been confirmed in QLD, SA and NSW 1, but there is still time for most Australians, especially those in at-risk groups, to protect themselves and those around them.
The Australian Government’s Communicable Diseases Surveillance data shows that reported cases of influenza – most notably the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and influenza B – have risen sharply 2. The confirmed number of notifications reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) have increased by more than 200 percent since May 1, and is an indication that the peak flu season is now imminent in Australia.
While there was an unusually high number of diagnosed cases through Summer and Autumn 2011, four to five times the usual level 1, current data indicates that the main flu season will occur as usual during Winter and early Spring.
Experts are today urging people in at-risk groups and healthy Australians who wish to avoid infection to see their GP and seek vaccination now in order to protect themselves and avoid passing the infection on to others.
“Regardless of the unusual number of cases earlier this year, we now see reports of increasing levels in New Zealand and Australia, as expected for this time of year, which to us signifies that the peak of the flu season is now imminent and that people should take action,” said Prof Robert Booy, from The University of Sydney.
“Many at-risk people still don’t appreciate the particular threat that influenza poses for them by worsening existing medical conditions and predisposing to pneumonia. They are often not aware that a simple vaccination can help them guard against this potentially serious infection. There is still time for Australians, especially those with underlying medical conditions, and those around them, to protect themselves against potentially serious illness”.
Prof Booy also emphasised that vaccination is necessary each year, regardless of whether changes have been made to the current vaccine formulation or not, in order to maintain an adequate level of immunity.
According to Dr Rodney Pearce, member of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and South Australian spokesperson for the Australian Medical Association (AMA) on immunisation, vaccination remains the single most effective way of protecting yourself against the infection and it is particularly important that we increase vaccination rates in the 2.2 million 3 Australians under the age of 65 in at-risk groups who are now are eligible for free influenza vaccine under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
“Since the expansion of the Australian Government program last year, free vaccine is now available at GP clinics for people at-risk of more severe diseases including people aged 65 and over, all people over the age of 6 months with a predisposing medical condition**, pregnant women and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over,” said Dr Pearce.
Dr Alan Hampson, OAM, Chair of the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG), believes that while vaccination is the most effective way to prevent catching influenza; if you do contract influenza there are antiviral medications available on prescription that can shorten the length and reduce the severity of the illness. However these must be taken within the first two days of contracting influenza.
“Older people and those with underlying risk conditions should consult their GP immediately about antiviral treatment if they believe that they have contracted influenza. Over-the-counter medication options only suppress the symptoms of the illness rather than treating the cause of them.
“People should realise that influenza is not like the common cold, it’s much more serious. So it is important to stay at home and rest to avoid more serious outcomes, not only for the sake of your own health, but also to avoid spreading the illness to others,” said Dr Hampson.
It is estimated that influenza and its related complications kill around 2,500 Australians in an average year.4,5 Despite this, a recent survey of 1,120 people 6 revealed that while 82 percent of respondents recognise that even healthy people would benefit from vaccination, nearly three quarters (72%) are unsure whether they will get the vaccination, almost half (42%) have never had the vaccination and around 5,400,000 adult Australians (35%) would definitely not be seeking vaccination this year.
Influenza is characterised by a sudden onset of debilitating symptoms, which include fever, body aches and pains, fatigue, cough and headache.7 The ISG advises that people who wish to protect themselves from influenza should seek vaccination now as it takes up to a full two weeks for immunity to develop.
The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends annual influenza vaccination for all Australians over the age of six months who have an underlying risk condition, such as heart disease, kidney disease, impaired immunity or those with lung disease including asthma.8 The Australian guidelines further stipulate that children under nine years receiving an influenza vaccination for the first time require two doses; administered one month apart.8
Should consumers be worried about whether or not they are in one of the at-risk groups then a free, online risk assessment tool is available on the ISG’s website. It is a quick and simple questionnaire to indicate probable risk levels: http://www.isg.org.au/influenza-risk-assessment-tool.
Earlier this year, the ISG launched a new digital video to show Australians how influenza is transmitted across the world. The video forms part of a new range of online educational resources, including; consumer information brochures (translated into a range of languages) and posters now available in GP surgeries, and a YouTube channel featuring video information on the virus and advice on prevention and treatment. Visit flutube100 at https://www.youtube.com/user/flutube100
Source: http://www.isg.org.au
Notes:
The ISG is a not for profit organisation whose mission is to reduce the impact of influenza in Australia through educational programs and public awareness activities. It consists of medical and scientific specialists from around Australia and New Zealand with an interest in influenza. The ISG is Chaired by Dr Alan Hampson, former Deputy Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza. The ISG receives funding from industry; however, the ISG, through its Board, maintains full control over all of its activities and published materials.
*Calculated by estimating the number of Australians <65 years who meet the new National Immunisation Program criteria, including: ATSI (297,1439), cardiac disease (cyanotic congenital heart disease, coronary heart disease, congestive heart disease – 360,36010), diagnosed COPD (758,88011), severe asthma (35,00012), diagnosed diabetes mellitus (525,95013), chronic renal failure (129,49414), HIV infection (26,83615), malignant cancer (220,10013), chronic neurological conditions (262,20013) and pregnancy (292,02116). Data was then weighted to remove double/triple counting using AIHW data (excl. pregnancy).17
** Predisposing medical conditions, such as;
- Heart conditions
- Lung / respiratory conditions including asthma
- Diabetes (and other chronic metabolic diseases)
- Kidney disease
- Impaired immunity
- Chronic neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders
- Haemoglobinopathies (a range of genetically inherited disorders of red blood cell haemoglobin)
References:
1. National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
2. Dept of Health & Ageing, Communicable Diseases Information http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm
3. Influenza Specialist Group. Data on file. 2010
4. Newall AT, Scuffham PA, Hodgkinson B. Economic report into the cost of influenza to the Australian health system. 2007 March.
5. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3303.0 - Causes of Death, Australia. 2007. Found at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/3303.02007?OpenDocument
6. Attitudes to Influenza Transmission & Vaccination in Australia. Influenza Specialist Group (ISG). March 2011. Online omnibus conducted by McCrindle Research for ISG. Data on file.
7. Keech M, et al. The impact of influenza and influenza- like illness on productivity and healthcare resource utilization in a working population. Occup. Med (Oxf) 1988; 48: 85-90. Found at http://occmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/2/85.full.pdf
8. Aust Immunisation Handbook, 9th edition 2008: Found at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-home
9. ABS 2006 Census Population and Housing. Found at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/2914.02006?OpenDocument
10. AIHW 2004-05. http://www.aihw.gov.au/cvd/index.cfm
11. Access Economics, Economic impact of COPD, Oct 2008. Found at: http://www.accesseconomics.com.au/publicationsreports/getreport.php?report=178&id=226
12. AIHW. Asthma in Australia Report. 2008. Found at http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442468169
13. ABS National Health Survey Summary of Results 4364.0. 2007-2008. Found at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Latestproducts/4364.0Main%20Features32007-2008%20(Reissue)?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4364.0&issue=2007-2008%20(Reissue)&num=&view
14. Prevalence of kidney damage in Australian Adults: The AusDiab Kidney Study. Found at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/14/suppl_2/S131.abstract
15. National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research. Oct 2007. Found at: http://www.nchecr.unsw.edu.au/NCHECRweb.nsf/page/Quarterly+Surveillance+Reports
16. ABS, Births, Australia, 2008. Found at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/3301.02008?OpenDocument
17. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chronic diseases (fact sheet): Proportion (%) of chronic conditions reported, by age, 2004-05 [sourced from: AIHW analysis of the 2004-05 National Health Survey]. Last viewed February 2010. Found at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/cdarf/index.cfm
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