NT Health Public Health Physician Dr Ashish Yadav says there have been more than 1,400 flu cases in the NT, with 384 hospitalisations and three deaths so far this year and he’s urging people to get vaccinated

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
And we know that territorians have been reminded to get
vaccinated for the flu, with more than fourteen one hundred
cases in the Northern Territory since the start of the year. Now,
health authorities say cases tend to pick up during the
dry season with an influx of visitors to the top
end from southern states. Now joining us on the line

(00:21):
is into Health public health physician doctor azish Yadiv. Good
morning to you. Doctor.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
Good morning, Katie, Thank you so.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
Very much for your time. Now, fourteen hundred cases, it
sounds like quite a large number. Is the actual number
of cases likely to rise?

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, that's a good question, and I can tell you
that that number keeps on increasing. So it's as of
yesterday it was almost fourteen hundred and sixty cases. And
you're right, because of the dry season, because of a
lot of tourist activities, number is likely to go up.

(01:02):
And that is consistent with what we have seen over
the past few years.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
All right, So it is the number is consistent with
previous years. I mean, how severe is this strain of
the flu? Are we seeing hospitalizations due to this flu?

Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yes? In fact, this year itself in twenty twenty five,
We've had almost three sixty hospitalizations in the ant because
of flu. So although flu can be a mild disease,
but it can cause very serious illness and otherwise healthy
people as well. And we've had a few deaths as

(01:43):
well in the ant really, so yeah, it is it
can be very unpredictive in people.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
Can you tell me how many hospitalizations have we had
and from what you said there deaths as well as
a result of the flow.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
Yes, you're right. I think we've had three dates this
year because of flu, and in terms of the hospitalizations,
as of yesterday, we've had three hundred and eighty four
hospitalizations because of flu.

Speaker 1 (02:19):
How does the hospitalization number compare to previous years? I mean,
is that a greater number than what we're saying in
other years?

Speaker 2 (02:27):
It is consistent, I mean it is what we were
expecting at this time of the year. So I mean, yeah,
that is when the flu cases rise across the whole
of Australia and particularly here in the Northern Australia and
in the top end here in Darwin. So because of

(02:49):
the tropical season, we basically experience flu cases almost throughout
the year, but we do get peaks sometimes, especially in
the coming few weeks.

Speaker 1 (03:02):
Why do we sort of see that increase in the
coming few weeks, I mean, is it because things cool
down a little beach? What's the reason for that.

Speaker 2 (03:11):
Yeah, it's just that the way the virus spreads, I mean,
it is a respiratory infection and it basically has the
same spread. It usually spreads from person to person through
droplets that are breathed in or ingested. So when people

(03:33):
are in close proximity, especially in areas like schools or
nursing homes, that's when the spread of these droplets containing
the flu virus gets accelerated. So more people means more
physical contact, and that increases the likelihood of more transmitting.

Speaker 1 (03:50):
Yeah. Right, So who should get a flu vaccine?

Speaker 2 (03:53):
Doctor, Yeah, that's a very important question. And so there
are groups of people who are at higher risk of
the complications from FEE and these are the group of
people who are eligible to get a free flu vaccine
under the National Immunization Program. So they include our aboriginal

(04:14):
and Torres strait islender people aged six months and above,
all children aged six months to less than five years.
The flu vaccine is given to all pregnant women at
any stage of pregnancy. Pregnancy in itself is a complicated state,
so those women are also eligible for the free vaccine,

(04:36):
as well as people aged sixty five years in above
and lastly a group of people who have a certain
medical condition that increases their risk of severe influenza.

Speaker 1 (04:49):
Okay, now where can people go to get that vaccine?
And I guess even if you're not eligible for the
free one, we can go to different places to get
it regardless, can't we?

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Asolutely so the territoriums can access the flu vaccine from
their GPS, the health clinics, including the remote health clinics,
and from this year in fact, there are certain pharmacies
who can give this vaccine to people aged five years
in above. And those people who are not eligible to

(05:20):
receive the free vaccine, they can always purchase one from
their vaccine provider. It's always best to give the pharmacies
or the clinics a call in advance just to get
all the information.

Speaker 1 (05:34):
Well doctor, yeah, she she, you dove. I really appreciate
your time this morning. Thank you so very much for
having a chat with us and making us more aware
of flu in the Northern Territory and certainly letting us
know how we can protect ourselves.

Speaker 2 (05:49):
Thanks, and just my last message that getting your annual
flu shot isn't just about you, It's about safeguarding our families,
our elders, and our elder entire community. So let's just
be proactive, let's be strong, and let's get FA accidented well.

Speaker 1 (06:04):
Thanks doctor Ashisha Dove. Thank you so very much for
your time this morning. It is much appreciated.

Speaker 2 (06:11):
Thanks good Thank you,