Virus WAtch Week Ending 17 August 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Most indicators of influenza activity decreased this week. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus activity is also declining. Most indicators of influenza activity, including notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza, Emergency Department ILI attendances and influenza-associated hospitalisations decreased this week, although ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1, but there were also a significant number of A/H3N2 […]

National guidelines for management of patients with suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola have been published today. The risk of a case in Australia is low (perhaps at worst an infected aid worker or two), but a few hospitals have seen febrile returned travellers from west Africa. The guidelines are here (SoNG for public health units): http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-ebola.htm The infection control measures that are recommended are similar to those recommended by CDC; droplet/contact for most patients, aerosol precautions if an aerosol generating […]

Worried about the influenza season?  Here’s the story behind the figures. http://theconversation.com/worried-about-the-flu-season-heres-the-story-behind-the-figures-30405

Virus WAtch Week Ending 10 August 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Most indicators of influenza activity increased this week, but this was largely due to an epidemic of influenza A/H3N2 in the West Kimberley region, with relatively steady activity elsewhere. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus activity is declining. Indicators of influenza activity, including notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated hospitalisations increased this week. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased, but data were incomplete. […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 3 August 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: There are early indications that influenza activity may have peaked, but detections remain high. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity is declining. Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs), notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated hospitalisations were similar to or showed small declines relative to the previous reporting week. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1, but there […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 27 July 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity increased this week, with A/H1N1 virus remaining the predominant subtype. Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and sentinel emergency departments (EDs), proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated hospitalisations continued to increase this week. Notifications of influenza cases increased by 28% this week. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped remains influenza A/H1N1, but A/H3 and influenza B […]

The TGA has released its latest findings and recommendations emphasising the importance of Aseptic Technique when accessing medication vials. Action is required by health professionals who should: be aware that the outer surface of the rubber stopper and the inner surface of injection vial lid or cap are not sterile. ensure proper aseptic technique is strictly followed when preparing and administering injections, including: wiping the outer surface of the rubber stopper and the injection site with a suitable disinfectant swab; and […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 20 July 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity continued to increase this week, with A/H1N1 virus predominant. Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs), influenza notifications, proportion testing positive and hospitalisations associated with influenza continued to increase this week. ILI activity at sentinel emergency departments (ED) stabilised this week. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in recent weeks have been influenza A/H1N1, with a fall in the proportion […]

See the full issue http://www.health.wa.gov.au/diseasewatch/vol18_issue2/all.cfm Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection made notifiable Campaign bid to boost varicella vaccination rates Trends in notifications of HIV infection in WA Hot HIV Topics in 2014 Decline in HPV vaccination across three scheduled doses: A tale of two sexes

Virus WAtch Ending Week of 13 July 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity continued to increase this week, with A/H1N1 virus predominant. Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs), influenza notifications, proportion testing positive and hospitalisations associated with influenza all increased this week. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in recent weeks have been influenza A/H1N1, with a fall in the proportion of A/H3 and influenza B viruses […]