Health authorities are ramping up appeals to parents to have their children aged 5-16 vaccinated against the flu following the death at the weekend of a Central Coast high school student.
Central Coast Local Health District confirmed the recent death of the student from influenza.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the student’s family and friends at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
The student is believed to have been in Year 9 at St Joseph’s Catholic College.
The news highlights concerns over rising influenza rates and hospitalisations among children and teenagers.
NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the latest NSW data is concerning, with a 37 per cent increase in emergency department (ED) presentations with influenza-like illness and a 30 per cent increase in admissions to hospital in the week to July 2 compared to the previous week.
Children aged under 16 represented around half (54 per cent) of all ED presentations for influenza-like illness, and over a third (around 40 per cent) of all influenza-like illness hospital admissions, showing that children are being disproportionately affected by the flu this year.
The flu can lead to serious heart, brainand muscle-related complications.
“In recent weeks we have seen influenza cases rising fastest among very young children as well as those aged five to 16, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week,” Chant said.
“Sadly, our hospitals are seeing an increasing number of these children being admitted for care and some of these patients are seriously unwell.
“The very best thing parents can do to keep their kids well this winter, and to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised due to influenza, is to ensure their children receive a flu vaccine if they haven’t yet.”
Those considered to be at higher risk of severe illness from influenza are eligible for a free flu vaccine and include: children aged six months to under five years; people aged 65 and over; Aboriginal people from six months of age; pregnant women; and those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.
Authorities recommend: staying up to date with your recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccinations; staying home if you have cold or flu symptoms; washing or sanitising your hands often; wearing a mask in crowded, indoor places; getting together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows; talking with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan about what to do if you get sick.
They also recommend not visiting people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza and taking a rapid antigen test to test for COVID-19 especially before visiting vulnerable loved ones.
More information on Influenza can be found on the NSW Government website.
CCN