#1061
Tony Abbott, Australia's Health Minister, has come under fire for not releasing their national stockpile of `flu vaccine', which apparently means the anti-viral Tamiflu. Queensland's Premier Peter Beattie has made his state's Tamiflu stockpile available, citing an almost 3 fold increase in flu cases this year.
As you will read, Abbott believes their national stockpile needs to remain intact because he fears a much bigger, and deadlier pandemic is on the way.
Top medical officer warns of deadly flu
Wednesday Aug 15 19:56 AEST
Australia's chief medical officer has warned parents to rush to a doctor if their child shows symptoms of a virulent strain of influenza sweeping the country.
And federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says Australia has to be prepared for the possibility of one day being swamped by a dangerous strain, possibly of bird flu.
The nation is in the grip of its worst influenza season in five years, with record infection rates and six children from four states dead after reporting flu-like symptoms.
A 37-year-old Queensland man has also died of flu.
The victims had one of two virulent strains of influenza A, either H3N2 or H1N1, which are spreading with particular severity this winter.
"Australia is experiencing a worse than normal influenza season in 2007, with increased numbers of cases being reported across several states and territories," Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor John Horvath said.
"Sadly, some influenza infections have resulted in deaths this season, including in a small number of children.
"Parents whose children have flu-like symptoms, including a cough and a fever, and are lethargic, should seek early medical attention."
But Prof Horvath has supported the current access arrangements for flu drug Tamiflu, despite calls by leading scientists for it to be available widely and over-the-counter in pharmacies.
Dr Graeme Laver, a former molecular biologist at the Australian National University, said health authorities should have acted months ago to stock pharmacies with Tamiflu and Relenza, so they could be dispensed rapidly, over-the-counter, to people falling victim to seasonal flu.
The two drugs must be taken within 48 hours to work, but are currently only available by prescription and stocked in a limited number of pharmacies.
"Tamiflu should ... be available over the counter in pharmacies, as the time taken to get a doctor's prescription in most cases means Tamiflu will no longer work," Dr Laver said.
Prof Horvath acknowledged the high demand for the drugs, but said the suppliers of both medicines had advised him that stocks were available nationally.
"As many illnesses share symptoms with influenza, a doctor's diagnosis and prescription are needed to ensure these medicines are used safely and effectively," he said.
The federal health minister has refused to make government antiviral stockpiles available, because he does not consider the current flu season a national emergency.
"The Tamiflu stockpile is our first line of defence against a possible bird flu pandemic and serious though this flu season is, it would be a mere blip if we actually had a bird flu pandemic," Mr Abbott told ABC Radio.
"One day there will be a flu pandemic - that is almost certain.
"But we don't know when, we don't know where and we don't know if the current strain of bird flu is going to be the foundation for the next pandemic."
He said the deadly bird flu remained difficult for humans to catch, despite the deaths of two Indonesians on Bali this week.
Apart from anti-virals, Prof Horvath said people could also protect themselves and their families against influenza through vaccination, basic hygiene and infection control practices.
These measures included washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes and staying away from school, work or crowded places when sick.
