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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.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents erupt as entire Aussie suburb left smelling 'like a toilet' after major leak
Residents of an Australian suburb are complaining their local area "smells like a toilet" after a deluge of human waste began spreading through the area. Aerial images show thousands of litres of human excrement pooling in a sports field in Perth's south, which has slowly run down to the popular tourist area of Fremantle, prompting authorities to plead with the public to avoid recreational activities like fishing. The problem was caused by a burst sewer pipe in Beaconsfield four days ago. Dean Stacey, a spokesperson from the Water Corporation, explained the ongoing issue is "quite complex". The initial leak caused smaller and related overflows in neighbouring suburbs, which made their way into the Swan River, a major waterway. "The repair in Spearwood is quite complex, instead of being able to weld a band around that pipeline, we're having to prefabricate a new section of pipeline,' he said. While the leak has been stopped, authorities are now scrambling to custom-make new pipes to fix the spill. After the pipe burst on Friday, residents reported a foul smell wafting from the leafy Perth suburb, Nine News reported. "[I] went out to look and you could smell it," one resident said. Another said it "smells like a toilet." Water Corporation has warned residents that it's expected to take "some time" to make the repairs. 'Given the complexity of the wastewater network, there remains a risk of further localised overflows," it said. "As repairs progress, the public is asked to avoid affected areas. Warning signage, security, and barricades are in place for the community's protection." Water Corporation is working with the WA Department of Health, Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation to ensure public safety. 'In the event of contact with any residual wastewater, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water and disinfect any surfaces exposed to wastewater,' it said. If locals begin to feel unwell or experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and nausea, seek medical advice. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
West Australian
07-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Respiratory infections soar in WA as Australian Medical Association urges people to get COVID & flu vaccines
Rates of respiratory infections such as influenza, whooping cough and COVID have increased in WA over the past few months prompting Australia's peak medical body to urge people to get vaccinated. The Australian Medical Association wants everyone, especially those most at risk, to prioritise seeing their doctor about getting a jab highlighting new data from Western Australia that showed its RSV immunisation program targeting infants had reduced hospitalisations by more than 50 per cent. According to WA's latest statewide notifiable disease report, respiratory infections are rising, with rates of influenza and whooping cough more than doubling compared to this time last year. To date, there were 6983 influenza cases reported this year compared to 3068 in 2024, 822 whooping cough cases, compared to 171 last year, RSV sits at 1619, up from 2024's 1376. The northern hemisphere's 2024 to 25 flu season just wound up to devastating effect — in the US, 216 children died, the highest paediatric death toll in 15 years, and in the UK, influenza rates quadrupled. The WA Department of Health's virus watch revealed that three people have already died this year of influenza and one from RSV. COVID continues to plague the state as well, with wastewater concentration of the disease rising sharply in May and hospitalisations increasing to an average of 60 a day, while ICU admissions rose to two a week. AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said the success of WA's RSV immunisation program demonstrated the power of evidence-based prevention. It's estimated that the program saved the WA health system between $6.2 to $6.9 million in hospital costs and reduced hospitalisation among infants by 57 per cent. Meanwhile, vaccination rates for COVID and influenza have fallen across the board, which Ms McMullen said was 'alarming'. 'New COVID-19 strains continue to circulate, leading to increased hospitalisations, making regular boosters essential for maintaining protection against severe illness,' Dr McMullen said. WA influenza vaccine coverage sits at 19 per cent, while just 12 per cent of people aged under 64 are vaccinated. 'We are particularly concerned by vaccination rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which have declined across all age groups,' Dr McMullen added. 'Meanwhile, COVID-19 booster coverage has dropped significantly in people aged 75 and over, falling from 38.2 per cent to just 32.62 per cent in the past 12 months.' Dr McMullen urged people who are worried about vaccine misinformation on social media to get expert guidance from their GP. 'The evidence is clear — vaccines work. But vaccines sitting in fridges don't save lives. We need people to pay attention, particularly parents of young children and older Australians,' Dr McMullen added.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
WA caregiver charged with sexually assaulting disabled teen
The Brief Natayla Akinsheva, 49, is charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year-old disabled man. Court documents state Akinsheva was the victim's care provider. The victim's mom reportedly witnessed the assault through a hidden camera. TACOMA, Wash. - A 49-year-old woman is charged with sexually assaulting a family friend's mentally and physically disabled son. What we know According to court documents, the suspect, Natayla Akinsheva, had worked as a caregiver for the 19-year-old victim for five years. The victim is a client of the Department of Developmentally Disabled Administration through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; the suspect is not licensed through the WA Department of Health and works as an independent provider through Consumer Direct Care Network, according to the report. Probable cause documents state the victim has the mental capacity of a two-to-three-year-old child. He is non-verbal, diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, developmental delays, hemiplegia and para-paralysis. According to the report, the victim's mom had installed cameras in the house in January based on what she called her "mother's instinct." On April 10, the victim's mom checked the camera hidden in her son's room via an app on her phone and witnessed Akinsheva in the process of sexually assaulting the teenager, according to the probable cause documents. The report states the mom raced home and caught Akinsheva with her pants still down. Akinsheva claimed she was changing the victim's diaper, but then broke down crying and asked for forgiveness, referencing her 25-year friendship with the mom, according to the documents. The court document states that Akinsheva lied to police during the interrogation, claiming nothing happened between her and the victim, until detectives revealed there were pictures of the incident. Documents stated Akinsheva then changed her story and blamed the incident on her loveless marriage to her husband. In court on Wednesday, Akinsheva pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge set her bail at $50,000. The Source Information in this story is from court documents obtained by the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Boeing 737 reportedly rejected overseas, FOX 13 finds matching jet in Seattle China retaliates against Trump's tariffs Gov. Bob Ferguson signs bill restricting armed forces from entering WA Fast Ferry cuts loom as Washington faces budget crisis To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation
