Hon Stephen Dawson inquired about the swine flu incidence in Karratha during the 2016 winter. The Minister for Health provided data on cases, fatalities, public health responses, vaccination efforts, and school closures.

AnsweredQoN 742Legislative Council
Asked
18 August 2016
Portfolio
minister representing the Minister for Health

QuestionView source ↗

SWINE FLU — KARRATHA
742. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the minister
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the incidence of swine
flu reported in Karratha over the 2016 winter period.
(1) What is the
recorded number of patients presenting with swine flu?
(2) Have any
fatalities been recorded?
(3) What action
has the Department of Health taken to warn residents of an increased risk of
contracting swine flu?
(4) Have any
additional resources been allocated to vaccinate high-risk groups?
(5) Have any schools or institutions
been temporarily closed due to swine flu?

AnswerView source ↗

(1) For the
period from 1 June 2016 to 16 August 2016, six cases of influenza A H1N1—swine
flu—were reported in Karratha.
(2) No.
(3) A number of
local notifications have been made in the Pilbara region to advise residents of
the risk of influenza, including swine flu. These include a media statement
warning about influenza issued by the WA Country Health Service on 18 July 2016
and published by the North West Telegraph ;
the notification of WACHS Pilbara staff and Pilbara public and private general
practitioners about the high levels of swine flu circulating and the provision
of information on preventive measures in July and August; and notification
being sent to childcare centres and schools in Karratha in August advising of
high levels of circulating influenza, including recommended information on
preventive measures, handwashing factsheets and posters.
In addition, the Department of Health
conducts an annual statewide influenza campaign to advise the community of the
risks and the preventive measures they can take to protect themselves from
influenza of all types.
(4) Vaccination
is available to the general population through their GPs. High-risk groups are
targeted for vaccination through community health centres, Aboriginal medical
services and GPs.
(5) The
Department of Education and the Department of Education Services have advised
that no public schools and no non-government schools in Karratha have been
closed due to swine flu. The Department of Training and Workforce Development
has advised that no education institution in Karratha was closed over the 2016
winter due to swine flu.

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