| Pandemic H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu) continues to spread from person to person, with hundreds of thousands of people affected world wide. In the Northern Territory, as in many other parts of Australia, the numbers of people experiencing influenza like illness, and people requiring admission to hospital due to severe disease, appeared to reach a peak in July/August. However, H1N1 Influenza is still circulating in the NT and at higher levels than is usual for flu at this time of year, so it remains important to protect yourself against this disease. On 18 September 2009 it was announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) would register the new H1N1 influenza vaccine for adults and the vaccination program will commence on 30 September. The TGA has not yet made a decision on the vaccine for children below 10 years of age, as vaccine trials for children started after those for adults and results are not yet available. Australia, including the NT, remains in the PROTECT phase of the national pandemic management plan for H1N1 Influenza. This recognises that the disease appears to be mild in most cases, severe in some cases and moderate overall. The focus of the PROTECT phase is therefore early treatment of people who are more vulnerable to severe outcomes. Pregnant women, Aboriginal people and people with respiratory disease (such as asthma), heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, morbid obesity and conditions affecting the immune system should seek early medical advice and treatment with antiviral medication if they develop flu-like symptoms. Vaccination against H1N1 will further protect those at greater risk of poor outcomes and so the priority, consistent with the PROTECT phase, is to first offer vaccination to pregnant women, Aboriginal people and those with underlying medical conditions as well as front line health care workers and parents and carers of children less than 6 months of age. Actions by individuals to reduce the spread of H1N1 Influenza remain important and the key messages are: - Stay at home and keep away from others when you are unwell.
- People with underlying medical conditions are urged to seek early medical attention if they develop flu symptoms. They are strongly advised to keep away from group settings such as sporting or community events.
- Practice good personal hygiene: wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
Step away from others who cough or sneeze. - If you need to cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose with tissues and throw the tissues away.
The number of confirmed cases in the table to the left is a cumulative figure, based on the total since the first NT case was reported on 31 May 2009. Most of these cases are no longer active. |