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Update
Since the beginning of November, nearly 80 confirmed cases of influenza – formerly known as the swine flu virus – have been reported since the beginning of November, during which authorities have termed "influenza" season flu.
Key points:
- The tip of the H1N1 virus has been reported in the Top End since early November
- About 45 cases were reported last week, some patients having been hospitalized
- The "strange" epidemic for November, say authorities, urging residents to vaccinate
The virus was contracted in an isolated community in the Daly River area, southwest of Darwin, and in the capital, confirmed the Northern Territory Disease Control Center.
In 2009, an outbreak of the H1N1 swine flu virus prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global pandemic, with an estimated death toll of several thousand worldwide.
However, Peter Markey, director of disease surveillance, told ABC Radio Darwin that the new outbreak was a different strain.
"The swine flu of 2009 has evolved over the years," he said.
"So that's it, but it drifted, so it's not the same virus that was around 2009."
The Ministry of Health said the subtype of the virus was now called seasonal flu.
Dr. Markey said that a dozen patients from isolated communities had been brought to Darwin for treatment and that a number of them had been hospitalized because of the virus.
"Since the beginning of the month, there have been about 80 [confirmed cases]," he said.
"Last week we had about 45. So it's a lot for a week."
The virus causes high fever, runny nose, headache, severe muscle and joint pain, cough, sore throat and gastrointestinal upset.
"These symptoms are likely to last several days and people will be in bed for days, missing work or unable to enjoy their holidays," said a spokesman for the Ministry of Health.
'Strange' epidemic & # 39; for November
The risk of influenza generally remains low during the summer months and increases until a moderate or high risk during the peak of the flu season, between May and October.
Dr. Markey said the Northern Territory has been experiencing a spike in the H1N1 virus for some time.
"What's unusual with this one, it's in November, it's not the usual time of the flu season," he said.
"So, it's rather weird … it's the beginning, but it looks like the flu season will be propitious."
The authorities are now urging the entire community to make sure their vaccines are up to date.
"With good hygiene, vaccination is the best way to keep you from getting sick," said the spokesman for the health department.
"Getting vaccinated also helps the community by vaccinating more people, so the disease is less likely to spread to other people who may have more serious problems with contracting the flu."
People eligible for the 2018 free flu vaccine include pregnant women, Aboriginal children under five, and Aboriginal people over the age of 15, anyone with a chronic health problem, and anyone over the age of 65.
"The vaccine takes a few weeks to work properly, but it's still worth doing if you're not vaccinated," said Dr. Markey.
"The good news is that there is still some flu shot."
While you are here … do you feel curious?
Topics:
health,
diseases and disorders,
NT
Darwin 0800,
Daly River-0822
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