20140511_virus_watch Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza respiratory virus activity is increasing; indicators of influenza activity remain low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low and consistent with inter-seasonal levels. The number of persons hospitalised with influenza remains low. Influenza virus detections remain low, with influenza A/H1N1, influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B co-circulating. Non-influenza respiratory virus detections increased this week; in particular, detections of respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza viruses increased.  Gastroenteritis  Gastroenteritis […]

20140504_virus_watch Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus activity (RSV) remains elevated this week, but influenza activity remains low. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low and consistent with inter-seasonal levels. The number of persons hospitalised with influenza remains low. Influenza virus detections remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B co-circulating. Non-influenza respiratory virus detections varied, with an increase in parainfluenza activity, a decrease in rhinovirus and adenovirus activity, and little […]

The Department of Health Western Australia (WA) recently published its revised Operational Directive (OD) on Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE).  The OD describes the requirements for routine screening and subsequent management of people identified with VRE in WA healthcare facilities.  You can view the OD at http://www.health.wa.gov.au/CircularsNew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=13088  

On Monday 5 May 2014 the WHO Director General (DG) declared the recent international spread of wild poliovirus a “public health emergency of international concern” and issued Temporary Recommendations under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005. The Temporary Recommendations are for an initial period of 3 months and only apply to travellers from the 10 countries deemed to have active transmission of poliovirus: Pakistan, Cameroon, Syrian Arab Republic (Syria), Afghanistan, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Israel, Somalia and Nigeria.  Under these […]