Health Alerts

Australia: High flu activity persists; Sydney Hep A updated; Measles import. The current flu season, which is still producing high levels of activity in some states and regions, is mainly being driven by the A(H3N2) and B strains, according to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) update. Also noted in the update, South Asia (in particular Bhutan), southern China and some SE Asian countries (Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos) are experiencing high rates of flu-like illnesses.

The hepatitis A outbreak in Sydney has infected 18 individuals as of Sept 15th, the Director Communicable Diseases NSW Health, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, has advised that among these cases are, ‘eight who are men who have sex with men, with at least four having visited public sex venues in Sydney while infectious.’ Men who have sex with men are a high risk group for hepatitis A infection, and vaccination is the best protection against the disease. Read more 

Of the three measles cases reported by Victoria’s health department this week, one infection was contracted in Romania. Several EU countries are experiencing an extensive outbreaks, but Romania is the largest, with over 9,000 cases and 34 deaths since January, 2016.