Geelong sees big drop in flu cases
National trend mirrored
FLU cases have dropped dramatically in the Geelong region compared to last year’s horror season.
The Greater Geelong region recorded 168 cases of influenza between January 1 and September 5, down from 983 over the same period last year, new Vic Health data reveals.
Barwon Health infectious diseases physician Associate Professor Deborah Friedman said influenza activity “has been particularly low this year, especially when compared with 2017”.
“This is the case all around Australia,” Prof Friedman said.
“We can see from Australian data that case numbers may have peaked in late August.
“However, the case numbers are very low overall and so we do need to wait to see if there is increased flu activity over the rest of September and October.
“It is not uncommon to still experience flu activity in spring.”
Statewide, there have been 4205 recorded cases of influenza from January 1 to September 5, compared to 27,454 over the same period in 2017, according to VicHealth figures.
The Geelong region experi- enced unprecedented demand for flu shots earlier this year after last year’s outbreak.
In the first two weeks of May, Barwon Health saw a 400 per cent increase in flu jabs.
Barwon Health was forced to provide extra immunisation sessions. In May, Victorian Health Minister Jill Hennessy announced the state would start rationing flu supplies for children, the elderly and sick people.
The Federal Government distributed an extra 800,000 doses across Australia to relieve pressure on clinics.
Prof Friedman said “the issues related to vaccine availability have had no impact on cases in 2018”. LEISURELINK has been acknowledged with a national award for its comprehensive lifeguard training program.
The centre received a National Aquatic Industry Safety Award for Excellence in Staff Development.
City of Greater Geelong developed various interactive training sessions across its six facilities that mimicked real life situations — which even included creating lifelike props including artificial wounds and burns for first aid.
Leisurelink aquatic team leader Scott Schefferle said it had strived to create new and engaging initiatives to educate facility lifeguards.
“The training is all hands-on, and uses a range of specialised equipment including an advanced digital CPR manikin,” Mr Schefferle said.
“We’re elated to see that the training has made our facility safer for our staff and community.
“It is great to observe when our staff do have to respond to incidents that they do so with a high level of confidence and professionalism.”
Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood said “we’re extremely proud to see the dedication and commitment of the city’s aquatic and leisure staff recognised nationally by Royal Life Saving Australia”.
Leisurelink was one of six individuals and organisations to receive a National Aquatic Industry Safety Award, which are an initiative of the National Aquatic Industry Safety Committee.