Health authorities in the Kimberley region of Western Australia say the flu has “returned with revenge” to the region after successive years of very low case numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key points:
- The Kimberley has reported more flu cases than anywhere else in the regional WA so far this year
- Local health authorities ask residents to follow health protocols to prevent their spread
- Residents are asked to be vaccinated against the flu
On Friday, the region had reported 572 cases since the beginning of the year, more than double the Midwest, which recorded only 213 cases.
The medical director of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service (KAMS), Dr. Lorraine Anderson, said about 10% of cases in the region had resulted in hospitalization.
Dr. Lorraine Anderson says the flu has “returned with revenge” to the region. (ABC Kimberley: Erin Park)
“The flu is back with us after two years after almost not having it, it’s back with revenge,” he said.
“This is already going to be one of the worst years for the flu, and we’re not even in the middle of the season.”
Dr. Anderson said it was important for Kimberley residents to get tested for both COVID-19 and the flu if they had symptoms to protect vulnerable people in the community.
“If your RAT test is negative, you should still be in contact with your clinic because if it is negative and you have symptoms, you need a swab for COVID-19 and the flu,” he said.
Influenza cases until July 1:
- Kimberley 572
- Midwest 213
- Pilbara 176
- Southwest 170
- Great South 49
- Wheat belt 38
‘Hit for six’
Peter O’Connor lives in Derby, about two hours north of Broome, in West Kimberley, Washington.
He was hospitalized with the flu last week after experiencing respiratory symptoms such as a cough in his chest and difficulty breathing, despite testing negative for COVID-19.
“He was definitely the sickest I’ve ever been, I had the flu before, but nothing like that, it’s really bad,” he said.
“I’m a pretty solid guy and pretty strong, and he played me for six.”
O’Connor said several family members had also become ill after contracting the virus in recent weeks.
“Being an indigenous person, many of the communities and my elders are vulnerable to this because they are not used to this kind of disease and flu,” he said.
“Now the cold season is starting, it’s time to be more careful. Some people are going to get vaccinated, [so] go get the flu shot. “
Dr. Anderson said a “reasonable number” of people had been vaccinated against the flu by 2022 after many had “blasé” themselves to receive the vaccine the year before.
“Make sure you stay up to date with your COVID vaccine,” he said.
“The second thing is [stick to] public health measures, therefore, social distancing, hand disinfection and coverage of coughs and sneezes “.
Dr. Pippa May, a public health physician with WA Country Health Service Kimberley, said the seasonal flu was a “common and highly contagious virus” that could cause serious illness.
“Sometimes the severity of the flu is minimized as a simple flu, but especially with our most vulnerable, the flu is a serious and life-threatening virus,” Dr. May said.
The state government announced late last month that it would expand its free flu vaccination program until the end of July.
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