Vic: Flu death in Vic nursing home =2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2007
Vic: Flu death in Vic nursing home =2

Twelve residents were struck down with the flu when the virus swept through the nursing
home earlier this month.

The centre is in quarantine but Mr Mullane said it was hoped that would be lifted today
as residents improved.

"Most of them aren't (showing flu symptoms anymore), we're taking more swabs today
just to make sure," he told AAP.

"These residents are frail, aged people who have a lot of (other) symptoms."

The death is the second known Victorian flu fatality this year.

Two weeks ago, five-year-old Melbourne boy Ethan Ioannou died from Influenza A.

But Department of Human Services (DHS) spokesman Bram Alexander said cases did not
have to be reported to the DHS, unless they were laboratory confirmed instances of influenza.

Australia is in the grips of a flu epidemic.

There have been 4,422 notifications this year - three times the average in the past
five years, according to a federal health report, released yesterday.

Queensland is the worst hit, with 2,197 cases, followed by NSW on 713, Western Australia
with 603 and Victoria with 371.

Mr Alexander said Victoria had escaped the worst of the epidemic.

"We're in what we would describe as just above what we would consider our normal seasonal
activity for influenza," he said.

The elderly should take advantage of free flu shots for seniors over 65 and be on the
lookout for symptoms, Mr Alexander said.

"The elderly and the young are more susceptible to influenza, we know that, and people
who have care of the elderly or the young should be vigilant to signs and symptoms and
not hesitate if they see flu-like symptoms."

Mr Alexander said the flu was not necessarily responsible for deaths in elderly patients,
who often suffered from other ailments, but could contribute by aggravating or sparking
other conditions.

"What we want to hear about are cases of influenza, especially outbreaks in settings
such as this (nursing home), to make sure that outbreaks are being taken care of as appropriate,"

he said.

AAP cmb/gfr/apm/jlw

KEYWORD: FLU VIC 2 MELBOURNE

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