REGIONAL residents are urged to have a flu shot amid dozens of people already being struck down with influenza in the Mount Gambier district.
While SA Health has confirmed more than 50 people from the region have been officially confirmed with influenza, it is understood the unofficial numbers could be in the hundreds.
At least two people – diagnosed with influenza – have been admitted to the Mount Gambier Hospital’s high dependency unit with “severe” complications.
The early arrival of influenza has triggered the state’s highest number of cases in more than 10 years.
With thousands of people expected to flood into the Blue Lake city for the Easter school holiday break, health authorities have warned this visitor influx could see influenza cases soar.
The State Government has rushed through free flu vaccines for children aged under five and other eligible groups given the soaring flu cases.
Mount Gambier general practitioner Steve Dunn called for people in high risk categories to organise a flu shot given the early arrival of the flu.
While the availability of the vaccine was causing some issues, he said young children, people aged over 65, pregnant, with a chronic illness or with immunosuppressed conditions must make the flu shot a priority.
There is a growing focus on ensuring young children are vaccinated given the potential health complications.
Dr Dunn particularly called on people aged over 65 to ensure they received the “super flu shot”, which was designed for high risk groups.
“I have seen a couple of really severe cases who have ended up in the high dependency unit,” the Hawkins Medical Clinic veteran doctor said.
“The flu can be particular terrible for pregnant women.”
Mount Gambier Hospital infection and prevention control nurse Nicole Vause also called on people not to be complacent.
“The hospital has seen influenza cases – people have started to come through,” Ms Vause said.
She warned even healthy people could become seriously unwell from influenza given the virus “liked a healthy immune system”.
“That’s why it is so potent. It tricks your immune system, gets in and goes off. It can be just as nasty for young people,” Ms Vause said.
If people were battling flu-like symptoms, Ms Vause urged them to ensure they had a flu vaccine and remained home to stop the spread given it was highly infectious.
“If you have temperatures, that’s when the virus is working over-time.”
The hospital’s emergency department is already gearing up for an influx of people with flu symptoms and have a packs available for people.
“If people present with a fever or cough, the pack has tissues, a surgical mask and alcohol gel – we encourage people to use those supplies until they can be taken through and tested,” Ms Vause said.
While it was not known if there would be a surge in flu cases, she said the hospital was well prepared.
She said the flu cases could be spread by an influx of people into the city from across the border or other parts of the state.
Ms Vause revealed the flu was sparked in Mount Gambier in 2009 due to the BMX championships during the May long weekend.
“That’s why the flu really took off in the city.”
Ms Vause said these school holidays posed a risk of more cases in Mount Gambier.
“While the vaccination may not prevent you 100pc from getting influenza, but it will decrease the severity and symptoms as well as your ability to recover more quickly,” she said.
She revealed SA Health workers would soon start to receive their non-compulsory vaccinations.
“We have ordered our vaccines and we are waiting for them to arrive. When they arrive we will start vaccinating,” Ms Vause said.
Mount Gambier pharmacist Ju-Lear Tan – from Chemist King – said the pharmacy had seen a steady stream of people coming in for a flu shot.
“The flu season has started really early this year – the government is prompting people to get their vaccinations now,” Ms Tan said.
Already, she said more than 100 people had been vaccinated by chemist’s pharmacists.
“We have already done more people compared to this time last year – people are coming in because they know the flu can be dangerous,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Wade said the State Government was funding free flu shots for about 90,000 eligible children aged between six months and under five years to help protect vulnerable young children and minimise the spread of the flu.
“Vaccinating young children can help protect vulnerable people in the community, including the elderly and babies under six months who are too young to receive a flu vaccination, so I urge all parents to get their children vaccinated,” Mr Wade said.
