# 3398
We’ve charts from two Children’s hospitals in and around Sydney, Australia (Westmead is a suburb of Sydney) showing the number of influenza-related emergency room visits over the past 6 years.
The increase during the June-September period coincides with their influenza season.
There are two things of interest here.
First, and most obvious, is the huge spike in emergency room visits at both hospitals over the past couple of weeks. Some of that may be the `worried well’, but reports indicate that these hospitals are seeing a lot of sick kids.
This spike is nearly double the highest numbers seen during the previous 6 years.
Less obvious, perhaps, but just as important is that in years past, mid-to-late June has been a relatively quiet time for Emergency Department visits in Sydney. The peak for flu-related visits normally doesn’t come until late July or August.
These are just two data points, and so we shouldn’t try to draw too many conclusions from them. They do, however, suggest that the H1N1 virus is having a major impact very early in Australia’s flu season.
Children's Hospital Westmead ED Visits. The black line represents activity over the past year.
Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick ED Visits. The black line represents activity over the past year.
Below we have a statement issued by the NSW Health Department, warning people not to take this virus lightly.
26 June 2009
Community Transmission of H1N1 Influenza 09
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today said that with an increasing level of community transmission of H1N1 Influenza 09, it is important that people throughout NSW understand the potential impact on the community.
"We currently have two children in Intensive Care units and two other people hospitalised," Dr Chant said.
A five year old girl was admitted to Intensive Care, yesterday, with influenza infection. She had no pre-existing medical risk factors for severe influenza. A nine year old boy with a medical history of asthma was also admitted to Intensive Care.
"This is the very confronting side of H1N1 Influenza 09 that can't and shouldn't be dismissed. What these cases highlight is that, although mild in many people, H1N1 Influenza 09 can be severe in some, especially those with underlying medical conditions.
Dr Chant reiterated steps that can be taken to reduce the chances of contracting H1N1 Influenza: washing hands regularly with soap, covering up coughs and sneezes, and staying at home if you have influenza-like symptoms.
"I also want to again alert those vulnerable members of our community to be especially vigilant - pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, respiratory, heart and renal disease, and Indigenous Australians. They need to immediately seek help from their GP or, if one is not available, the nearest flu clinic or Emergency Department, if they develop flu symptoms."
