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Influenza still a concern for public health |
The Northern Rivers Public Health Unit has received an increased number of influenza notifications over the last few weeks with nine laboratory confirmed cases in September bringing the total for this year to 17.
The NSW influenza-like-illness (ILI) sentinel surveillance program indicates the ILI presentations to participating GPs and emergency departments in the New England area have increased during September. NSM laboratory reports of respiratory virus infections have also increased during September with adenovirus, influenza A and RSV accounting for the majority of cases.
Analysis of influenza isolated by the reference laboratory in Melbourne indicate the dominant strain circulating in Australia for 2004 as A(H3).
The disease
Influenza has an incubation period of 1-3 days. A person is usually considered contagious for 3-4 days after symptoms appear. Diagnosis can be confirmed from nasopharyngeal aspirate or nose and throat swabs.
Prevention/treatment
Vaccination remains the best method of protection against influenza providing an efficacy of about 70% against laboratory proven symptomatic illness. Two specific antiviral drugs now available for the treatment of influenza are zanamivir and Oseltamivir. Both drugs have been shown to be effective in reducing the severity and the duration of the infection.
Cases should be isolated and remain away from work for at least five days after the symptoms appear. They should be advised to cover the nose and mouth when coughing, dispose of tissues appropriately and wash hands frequently.
Further information is available from the Northern Rivers Public Health Unit or GPs can directly access information at the following sites: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/180_12_210604/guy10775_fm.html
http://www.influenzacentre.org/reports/GP%20flu%20discussion%20paper%202004.pdf
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