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West Australian
02-07-2025
- Health
- West Australian
School holidays set to supercharge spread of flu as WA cases hit over 10,000
Two people have died of influenza in the past fortnight, with the Health Minister describing this year's flu season as the worst in a decade — and experts warning the school holidays will only supercharge the spread. WA Health figures show there have been 10,428 recorded influenza infections so far this year, more than double the 4641 cases at the same time last year. In June, there were 2948 flu cases compared to 1455 in the same month in 2024. The flu has killed five people so far this year — one less than at the same time last year. Two of those deaths occurred between June 8 and June 22. A further 1692 people had been admitted to hospital as of June 22 — more than 800 hospitalisations more than the same time last year. The alarming figures can be revealed after Health Minister Meredith Hammat claimed high rates of ambulance ramping were due to the worst flu season in a decade. Ms Hammat pointed the finger as she was grilled in Budget Estimates on Tuesday about the number of hours ambulances were ramped at WA hospitals in May and June. Ambulance crews spent 5336 hours waiting to transfer patients outside WA hospitals in May, the highest on record for that month. In June, ambulances were ramped for a total of 5573 hours, with the length of time paramedics waited outside regional hospitals hitting its highest ever monthly record at 259 hours. 'There's a variation across months, you referred to the May figures, but we are dealing with the worst flu season in 10 years,' Ms Hammat said. 'The context is important — the context of the ageing and growing population, the context of the worst flu season in 10 years. These are all factors that have an impact as well.' Curtin University international health professor Jaya Dantas said she expected flu cases to increase further with public school holidays starting at the end of this week. 'The months of July and August are our winter months, so it gets colder, wetter and at the same time we have the school holidays — this all leads to an increase in infections,' she said. 'If there is a subsequent increase in emergency department presentations then it's worrying because it means that it can actually have an impact on our health system.' Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath said the State was in the middle of a 'horror flu season'. 'The flu season is probably three or four weeks ahead of where we were this time last year, but we don't see it ending sooner,' he said. 'It's always hard to predict with the flu, but the likelihood is that cases will continue to rise and we will be in for a horror winter. 'The impact on the emergency departments, on our after hours and critical care clinics, and GPs is going to go through the roof over the next six to eight weeks.'
Perth Now
02-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Flu season the ‘worst' in a decade as WA hits 10,000 cases
Two people have died of influenza in the past fortnight, with the Health Minister describing this year's flu season as the worst in a decade — and experts warning the school holidays will only supercharge the spread. WA Health figures show there have been 10,428 recorded influenza infections so far this year, more than double the 4641 cases at the same time last year. In June, there were 2948 flu cases compared to 1455 in the same month in 2024. The flu has killed five people so far this year — one less than at the same time last year. Two of those deaths occurred between June 8 and June 22. A further 1692 people had been admitted to hospital as of June 22 — more than 800 hospitalisations more than the same time last year. The alarming figures can be revealed after Health Minister Meredith Hammat claimed high rates of ambulance ramping were due to the worst flu season in a decade. Ms Hammat pointed the finger as she was grilled in Budget Estimates on Tuesday about the number of hours ambulances were ramped at WA hospitals in May and June. Ambulance crews spent 5336 hours waiting to transfer patients outside WA hospitals in May, the highest on record for that month. In June, ambulances were ramped for a total of 5573 hours, with the length of time paramedics waited outside regional hospitals hitting its highest ever monthly record at 259 hours. 'There's a variation across months, you referred to the May figures, but we are dealing with the worst flu season in 10 years,' Ms Hammat said. 'The context is important — the context of the ageing and growing population, the context of the worst flu season in 10 years. These are all factors that have an impact as well.' Curtin University international health professor Jaya Dantas said she expected flu cases to increase further with public school holidays starting at the end of this week. Jaya Dantas. Curtin University. Credit: Supplied / RegionalHUB 'The months of July and August are our winter months, so it gets colder, wetter and at the same time we have the school holidays — this all leads to an increase in infections,' she said. 'If there is a subsequent increase in emergency department presentations then it's worrying because it means that it can actually have an impact on our health system.' Australian Medical Association WA president Kyle Hoath said the State was in the middle of a 'horror flu season'. 'The flu season is probably three or four weeks ahead of where we were this time last year, but we don't see it ending sooner,' he said. 'It's always hard to predict with the flu, but the likelihood is that cases will continue to rise and we will be in for a horror winter. 'The impact on the emergency departments, on our after hours and critical care clinics, and GPs is going to go through the roof over the next six to eight weeks.'
Perth Now
18-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Grim prediction for flu season in WA prompts urgent warning
WA is in the grips of a horror flu season with the number of people in hospital with the virus more than doubling the same time last year, with experts warning the worst is yet to come. WA Health figures show that, as of June 8, nearly one in five recorded flu cases have ended with the person being admitted to hospital. There have been 8083 recorded influenza infections so far this year, more than double the 3488 cases this time last year. Of those 8083 cases, 1489 people have been admitted to hospital — more than double the 692 hospitalisations at the same time last year. It's also almost twice the five-year average of 765 hospitalisations. The high spread of the disease comes as health experts warn a further spike is expected in coming weeks as the middle of winter nears. In May alone, there were 1797 cases of the flu recorded across the State — 936 more than May last year. Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page said it had been an unusual flu season, with baseline rates of the infectious disease remaining higher even throughout summer. Dr Page said the fact the community had forgotten good hygiene habits adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic could be helping to spread the disease. However, he said WA's low vaccination rates was the number one cause. A poster issued by the WA Department of Health recommending handwashing procedure. Credit: Supplied 'There was that cultural shift during COVID where people would be cautious and stay home when sick and keep their kids home from school,' he said. 'The community has reverted to going back to work when they feel able to and sending their child to school with a runny nose. 'This would definitely be impacting the spread but the number one issue is vaccination. 'We do have unacceptably low rates of influenza vaccination in WA — some of the lowest in the country.' WA's flu vaccination rates are below the national average in all age groups with only 11.6 per cent of five to 15-year-olds vaccinated so far this year and 15.7 per cent of six month to five-year-olds jabbed. We need a new approach and we need to put a bit of time and effort into working out what the underlying reason is that people are not taking up vaccination in the way they used to. Almost 15 per cent of 15 to 50-year-olds have been vaccinated while 25.7 per cent of 50 to 65-year-olds and almost 55 per cent of over 65s have had the jab. Dr Page called on Minister for Preventative Health Sabine Winton to find a new approach to boost flu vaccination rates. 'I think all the hospital system needs is another big wave of infection to just push it even further behind in its ability to treat patients,' he said. 'We need a new strategy in Western Australia — we've got a minister for preventative health and I hope that she's looking very seriously at the impact of low vaccination rates on the overall health system, as well as on the health of individuals. 'More shocking billboards of people on their last breath in hospital is not the solution here. 'We need a new approach and we need to put a bit of time and effort into working out what the underlying reason is that people are not taking up vaccination in the way they used to.' The Kids Research Institute and Perth Children's Hospital infectious specialist Chris Blyth also urged West Australians to get vaccinated to prevent a further spike in cases, which would in turn lessen the pressure on the State's hospitals. 'Our influenza season has started by all accounts and so we expect case numbers to climb — not just in children, but in all populations,' he said. 'We know it spreads quickly in all populations, and we do know that children, particularly primary school children, are great vectors for influenza in the community. 'That's why we have a primary school program in Western Australia and we know that vaccinating primary school children reduces the amount of transmission in the community. 'Normally it takes a week or two to develop immunity from an influenza vaccine so those unvaccinated people out there should take the opportunity now as we expect that numbers will peak in the coming weeks.' Data shows the flu has been spreading the most rapidly among five to nine-year-olds followed by zero to four-year-olds. The Wirth family was struck down with the flu earlier this year, with two-year-old Mia the worst hit. With high fevers for six days, Renee Wirth rushed her young daughter to urgent care and the GP where she was diagnosed with Influenza A. 'Influenza A was scary for me, we had to sleep on her floor as her fevers were hitting hard every four hours,' she said. 'She was getting bad blood noses and we were having to syringe small amounts of Hydralite into her just to keep her hydrated. 'This is the sickest Mia had ever been. We were hospitalised with RSV and pneumonia last year, which I thought was scary, this was far worse. The Wirth family was struck down with the flu earlier this year, with two-year-old Mia the worst hit. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian 'She tired easily for a good month post-influenza.' Ms Wirth said she believed a lack of hygiene played a part in the spread of influenza this season. 'As a teacher, the last two years I have never been so sick with constant virus after virus hitting me, or the kids in my class. Daycare was the same,' she said. 'We were sick every second week. I truly believe it's the lack of hygiene from people sneezing and coughing then touching door handles, light switches, or sending kids to school thinking it's a cold when it's not. 'People don't want to use sick days unless they have to, which also means people are going to work, using public transport or sending kids to daycare unwell, which impacts families like ours.' A spokesperson for Ms Winton said the Minister would continue to work with doctors and health professionals to find ways to encourage more people to get a free flu vaccination. 'With winter here, the Cook Government is urging all Western Australians to protect themselves and their loved ones against influenza through our free flu vaccination program,' the spokesperson said. 'Now in its fourth year, this important program is helping ensure eligible Western Australians can access their free flu vaccination ahead of the peak season. 'Last year, the State Government launched the successful 'Don't Assume You're Immune' campaign, which continues to play a key role in raising awareness about the importance of immunisation and countering harmful misinformation about public health. 'The campaign has driven more people to seek out accurate, trusted information from sources like the Immunisation WA website. 'The Minister recently met with the AMA and will continue to work with doctors and all health professionals to find ways to encourage more Western Australians to take up the opportunity of a free and safe flu vaccination.'
West Australian
06-06-2025
- West Australian
City of Vincent curbs e-scooter rentals following the death of 51-year-old pedestrian Thanh Phan in Perth
Another council has pulled the pin on e-scooter rentals a day after the City of Perth suspended the service following the death of 51-year-old pedestrian Thanh Phan. Mr Phan was allegedly struck down from behind by an intoxicated rider in Perth's CBD about 8.40pm on Saturday. He suffered a brain bleed and was rushed to hospital, but died from his injuries days later. British tourist Alicia Kemp, 24, now faces charges of dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning death after Mr Phan died. Police allege she was under the influence of alcohol with a 26-year-old passenger on board, before she hit Mr Phan. The City of Vincent's decision to suspend e-scooter hires while it reviews the service comes a day after its neighbour, the City of Perth, suspended the service in response to the fatality. Vincent informed its residents e-scooters were no longer be available for hire until further notice and all hireable e-scooters would be removed from the streets within the next 48 hours. Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon said they were very saddened to hear about Mr Phan's death. 'Like our neighbours at Perth, we have decided to temporarily suspend our trial so we can review the safety of the hireable e-scooters and consider ways to improve this service or if it even needs to continue,' she said. 'We will continue to work closely with our service providers on potential changes to their operations here in Vincent.' Ms Xamon said public safety was a top priority and they would consider if safety-related measures such as time-of-day restrictions could be implemented on e-scooters. Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page told NewsWire at least one person a day was admitted to WA's trauma unit with major injuries caused from e-scooters. Dr Page said the number of patients with really serious traumatic injuries from e-scooters had been increasing and they were seeing people being admitted with serious head injuries, bone fractures, life altering injuries and sometimes fatal injuries. 'It's really a scourge in terms of injuries in our society and the problem with these council endorsed private hire e-scooters in city centres is people are hopping on without any experience riding e scooters,' he said. 'They're often intoxicated. They might be riding at night. They might not be wearing proper protection and so the chance for something to go wrong is, is very, very high.' While the AMAWA are not calling for a total ban of e-scooters, Dr Page said hire schemes endorsed by councils to activate city centres and bring vibrancy were a risk 'The question really has to be, does the benefit outweigh the risks when we're seeing deaths and many injuries?' he said. 'They are dangerous you've got plenty of evidence from other cities around the world, other countries around the world, from across WA that these schemes are not very safe.'
West Australian
05-06-2025
- General
- West Australian
City of Perth suspends e-scooters after a pedestrian was struck down and killed by a allegedly drunk rider
The City of Perth has suspended the hire of e-scooters after a pedestrian was knocked down and killed by an alleged drunk rider on Saturday night. Thanh Phan, 51, died from a brain bleed on Tuesday after he was struck from behind by an e-scooter at the intersection of Murray and King St about 8.40pm last Saturday. British backpacker Alicia Kemp, 24, was taken into custody at the scene. Police allege she was under the influence of alcohol with a 26-year-old passenger, before she hit Mr Phan. Her charges were upgraded to dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning death after Mr Phan died. He is the first pedestrian to die in WA from an e-scooter incident. Following the tragic incident, the City of Perth suspended the hire of e-scooters from midday on Thursday. Deputy Lord Mayor Brian Reynolds told the ABC it was 'appropriate' for the council to suspend e-scooter rentals in response to the 'horrible' incident. 'This is a tragedy on all levels … our thoughts are with the family and other extended family and friends,' he said. 'Information is coming to hand in every moment but, in our first instance, our responsibility is to act responsible in a respectful manner.' Mr Reynolds said the City would make a final decision once they had collected all the information they could and looked at the data around the events that led to the tragedy. WA Premier Roger Cook also told ABC Perth it was an appropriate response from the City and while e-scooters were a great way to move around and enjoy communities, there had to be regulations in place. 'We know that e-scooters are a regular feature of major cities right around the world and a way that people move around the cities,' he said. 'We have to make sure that it's safe and I think the council is moving in an absolutely appropriate way.' According to the Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page, at least one person with major injuries caused from e-scooters presented to the Royal Perth Hospital's trauma unit each day. He told ABC Radio there was enough evidence for councils to act and seriously consider similar e-scooter bans. 'It's serious issue, we've been warning about it for years,' he said. 'There is ample evidence for city councils to act on this and to act on it in a more definitive way.' On Tuesday, Mr Phan's family and friends issued a statement calling for more governance and regulations around hired e-scooters to prevent further serious incidents and lives risked. 'We received the heartbreaking news that Thanh passed away as a result of his injuries,' the statement read. 'On Saturday night, Thanh Phan – a beloved husband, father of two, brother, and dear friend – was struck by an electric scooter and critically injured. 'We also call for a review of the governance and safety regulations surrounding hired e-scooters to help prevent further serious incidents that put lives at risk.'
