Child dies after contracting the flu, another 18 hospitalised at the Children’s Hospital at WestmeadA
CHILD has died and another 18 have been admitted to hospital with the
flu. It is the first death in a child this year from influenza A. A CHILD has died and another 18 have been admitted to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead for the flu. It is the first death this year from influenza A, an acute respiratory illness caused by a virus. The
child was under the age of five and was unvaccinated. Health
authorities are respecting the family’s privacy and will not be
releasing any further details surrounding the death. Remaining hospitalisations at the western Sydney hospital ranged in age from one month to seven-year-old. The devastating news has NSW Health again urging parents to vaccinate their children. Chief
health officer Kerry Chant said 15 of the children were eligible for
the free flu vaccine, which is given in two doses for first-time flu
vaccinations. “We know that 15 of the children were eligible for
the free flu vaccine but only two of them had been fully vaccinated
against flu,” Dr Chant said. lmost all of the 256 confirmed flu cases last week, contracted
influenza A, which caused the 2009 pandemic where more than 650 people
died from complications associated with the flu. And, 74 of those 256 cases were from the Western Sydney Local Health District, the highest across the entire state by 36.
After last year’s 103,000 reported influenza cases, the virus hit its
peak in August with 48,600 reported illnesses across all strains. Confirmed
cases are people that present at medical centres or hospitals, and
represent only a portion of illness in the community. Experts believe
the flu season has started later than usual this year. The State Government this year kicked off its free flu jab for
under-fives and has been pushing it with a statewide campaign since
January to avoid the high numbers this year. It’s worked with only 5052 reported cases statewide this year to date. The
government is spending $22.75 million on programs to assist with flue
prevention this season including $3.5 million for free flu shots for
children up to five years and a $1.75 million prevention campaign. There
are three types of influenza virus — A, B and C — A is more serious
than the others and is the only type known to cause widespread
outbreaks. The virus is always changing with a new strain coming out each
winter. People that contract influenza usually get better within a week
by resting, taking mild pain killers, drinking plenty of fluid, eating
light foods, but in some cases, the flu can be severe and lead to
serious complications like pneumonia. Those more susceptible
include young children, the elderly, pregnant women, indigenous people
and those with chronic health problems. Dr Chant said the death was a timely reminder to parents who have not yet vaccinated their children. “Influenza can be life-threatening and it’s not too late to vaccinate,” she said. “Flu case numbers across the state are
starting to rise and influenza A, which mostly strikes children and
young adults, is the key strain circulating in the community.” Dr Chant said there were plenty of supplies for under-fives to be vaccinate
“Just call ahead to your GP to check they have it in stock or give them time to order more vaccines,” she said. The
flu vaccine is also free for those who are pregnant, aboriginal, aged
65 years or more, or have medical conditions such as severe asthma,
diabetes and heart problems. “Vaccination is the best protection
against flu but you can also help prevent it spreading by coughing and
sneezing into your elbow, cleaning your hands regularly and staying home
when sick.” Originally published as https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/child-dies-after-contracting-the-flu-another-18-hospitalised-at-the-childrens-hospital-at-westmead/news-story/36a807b893da11c327025f976ff4f642" rel="nofollow - Child dies after contracting the flu Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/child-dies-after-contracting-the-flu-another-18-hospitalised-at-the-childrens-hospital-at-westmead/news-story/36a807b893da11c327025f976ff4f642" rel="nofollow - http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/kids/child-dies-after-contracting-the-flu-another-18-hospitalised-at-the-childrens-hospital-at-westmead/news-story/36a807b893da11c327025f976ff4f642
Tragically, people die from the flu every year. I posted this for two reasons: 1, there appears to be a cluster - with 18 hospitalised, 2, because there also appears to be a large disparity (this time) between the effects on the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
------------- How do you tell if a politician is lying? His lips or pen are moving.
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