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 […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 6 July 2014 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity continues to increase this week, indicating the influenza season has commenced. All indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs), influenza notifications, laboratory detections and hospitalisations associated with influenza increased this week. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in the past week were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza B and influenza A/H3 are also circulating. Detections of respiratory […]

As of 2 July 2014, 826 laboratory-confirmed cases had been reported by the WHO world-wide since the first cases were reported in September 2012.  Two hundred and eighty-seven are known to have died, and the case fatality rate is 35% . All cases have a history of residence in or travel to the Middle East, or contact with travelers returning from these areas.  More than 85% of cases acquired the infection in Saudi Arabia, or are related to contact with travelers returning from these […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza activity is increasing; non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to increase. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) and influenza notifications increased; however, hospitalisations remain low. The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in the past week were influenza A/H1N1, but influenza B and influenza A/H3 are also circulating. Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses increased this week, and respiratory syncytial virus activity remains high.  Gastroenteritis  Gastroenteritis presentations […]

MERS-CoV has officially become a notifiable infectious disease in WA, as of today, following publication of a notice in the Government Gazette yesterday, MERS-CoV-notifiable (gazettal-HE402) 1July 2014 An accompanying notice (HE401) also designated MERS-CoV to be  a “dangerous infectious disease”, as defined in the Health Act 1911. The latter designation allows the use of formal powers, as outlined in section 251 of the Act, to order public health disease control measures such as isolation, quarantine, and testing, should this be necessary. […]