Virus WAtch Week Ending 26 July 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Taken together, direct and indirect indicators suggest that influenza virus activity may have now peaked, earlier than in recent seasons. Non-influenza virus activity also declined this week. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased this week and presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) were steady. Influenza virus detections, notifications and percent positivity appear to have reached a peak. Influenza B (68%) and influenza A/H3N2 (29%) viruses […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 19 July 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza virus activity, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), remains high. Influenza activity, primarily due to influenza B virus, remains moderate in intensity. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased this week, but conversely presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) decreased. Influenza virus detections and notifications decreased for the second consecutive week, while percent positivity has fluctuated at around 20% over recent weeks. Hospitalisations with confirmed influenza […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 12 July 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: ILI activity and influenza virus detections decreased this week, but seasonal activity is on-going. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased this week, possibly a school holiday effect. Hospitalisations with confirmed influenza have been relatively steady over recent weeks, at around 10 per 1000 admissions, over 50% due to influenza B virus. Influenza B viruses (69%) and influenza A/H3N2 (26%) viruses […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 5 July 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: ILI activity and more direct indicators of influenza virus activity all increased this week, indicating influenza season has commenced. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased this week. Hospitalisations with confirmed influenza have been relatively steady over recent weeks, at around 10 per 1000 admissions. Influenza virus detections, notifications and test positivity rate in both sentinel and routinely collected specimens all […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 28 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Rates of influenza-like illness increased this week. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased this week. Hospitalisations with confirmed influenza have been relatively steady over recent weeks, at around 10 per 1000 admissions. Influenza virus detections, test positivity and notifications are have changed little in the past few weeks, with influenza B viruses (75%) and influenza A/H3N2 (20%) viruses dominating detections; […]

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major complication following surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as increased costs. The function of operating room (OR) ventilation is to prevent airborne microbial contaminants from entering surgical wounds. Under normal circumstances, the main source of airborne microbial contamination is microscopic skin fragments, contaminated with bacteria, shed by healthcare workers (HCWs) in the OR. Another potential source of airborne microorganisms are air supplies that are not properly filtered. The […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 21 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Overall non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to increase sharply, with a large contribution from respiratory syncytial virus. Indicators of influenza virus remain variable, but activity appears to be increasing slowly, dominated by influenza B virus. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased a little this week, but remain in the lower margins of what has been observed in recent years. Influenza […]

The Commission has developed a draft guide to assist community health services with implementing the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The draft guide describes the intent of the NSQHS Standards and suggests strategies to meet the criteria in the context of community health care. It also includes examples of evidence that community health services can use to demonstrate they are meeting the NSQHS Standards. The Commission is currently seeking feedback on the draft guide. Submissions are requested in […]

The draft enHealth “Guidelines for Legionella Control in the Operation and Maintenance of Drinking Water Distribution Systems in Health and Aged Care Facilities” are now complete and have been published for stakeholder review and input. Consultation closes on 31 July 2015. The attached letter from the Chair of enHealth explains the Guidelines’. Origins and details of the consultation process including how feedback can be provided via an online form. It also provides the link  to the consultation package that is […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 14 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus detections continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity remain variable. ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased. Influenza virus detections and notifications are relatively steady, with influenza B (71%) and influenza A/H3N2 (26%) viruses dominating detections. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus detections decreased marginally, but respiratory syncytial virus activity continues […]