Symptoms on the rise in Bundaberg
After-hours doctors have responded to more than 35 cases of flu across Bundaberg this Easter/Anzac Day break, with residents being warned they should prepare for the imminent flu season.
More than double the amount of five-year-average of lab-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported in the Wide Bay.
In the year to April 15 there was 199 cases of lab-confirmed flu cases. The average is 98.
More than 20,000 cases of influenza have already been reported in 2019 and Queensland’s flu rate in summer was the highest in five years.
Queensland’s largest after-hours home doctor service, House Call Doctor, attended patients with flu-like symptoms in suburbs including Bargara, Kepnock and Kensington over the past week.
House Call Doctor’s Doctor Ryan Harvey said the flu-like symptoms corresponded with a drop in temperature.
As winter fast approaches, we urge our patients to be aware of the risk of contracting the flu and recommend they take preventative measures to stay on top of their general health,” Dr Harvey said.
“The influenza virus is an airborne illness, most commonly passed on when people cough and release small droplets into the air.
“These droplets contain the virus and can land on people or surfaces, where it can easily be picked up. It is highly contagious.”
House Call Doctor’s general manager James Wood said the service performed 3500 home visits over the Easter/Anzac Day break across Queensland and northern NSW.
“House Call Doctor visits patients in their own home, when their regular GP is closed,” Mr Wood said.
“Many GPs have a well-earned rest with the public holidays and that’s where we’ve been able to help fill the gap so that those who fall ill aren’t forced to attend hospital emergency departments.”
House Call Doctor has made more than 600,000 visits to homes, hotels, aged care facilities and nursing homes since it started in April in 2015.
More information can be found on the House Call Doctor website.
Original Source: News Mail Bundaberg | 27 April 2019
