Bold Warning: Respiratory infections are on the rise, and communities in Cape York, Torres Strait, and the Northern Peninsula Area need to step up prevention now.
Influenza numbers for the year are higher than at the same point last year. In some areas, like Weipa on the Western Cape, flu activity has already spiked. Across the health service, 90 flu cases have been reported so far this year, compared with 15 at the same time last year. Other respiratory illnesses—such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19—are circulating and warrant vigilance.
Public Health Medical Officer Dr Helen Pedgrift emphasized that good hygiene should be practiced year-round to curb the spread of respiratory infections. Practical steps include regular handwashing, using sanitiser, covering coughs, disposing of tissues promptly, and staying away from others when you or they are sick.
If you contract the flu, the guidance is clear: don’t go to work or school. Stay home, rest, and drink plenty of fluids until symptoms subside, typically five to seven days.
Watch for warning signs that require medical attention: increasing or rapid breathing, chest pains, excessive sleepiness, or a perception that you’re getting worse. If these occur, seek care early—your doctor or clinic may be able to provide antiviral treatments, which are most effective when started within the first couple of days of symptoms. This is especially important for people with chronic conditions.
Dr Pedgrift noted that both flu and COVID-19 can be serious, particularly for high-risk groups such as young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with certain health conditions. RSV poses risks across ages but is especially dangerous for infants and young children, who may exhibit symptoms like a runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat, and headache. In babies, symptoms can also include irritability, reduced feeding, weight loss, and labored breathing.
Vaccination remains the strongest defense against many respiratory illnesses. The new seasonal influenza vaccine will be rolled out gradually starting March 1 and is recommended for everyone, including children. The vaccine will be free for all Queensland residents, and a needle-free nasal spray option will be available for children aged two to five years this year.
Young people have a vital role in protecting their communities by getting vaccinated, as they are often key vectors for transmission. Annual vaccination is needed because flu strains change each year, meaning previous immunity may not protect against new strains covered by this year’s vaccine.
Once the seasonal flu vaccine is released, it will be available through GPs, pharmacies, primary health centres in the Torres Strait, Cape York, and Northern Peninsula Area, and at hospitals including Thursday Island and Bamaga, the Weipa Integrated Health Service, and the Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.
Dr Pedgrift also encouraged residents to keep up-to-date with COVID-19 boosters, which remain readily available across the health service.
Thought-provoking question: Are there additional local measures—like improving indoor air quality, community vaccination drives, or targeted outreach for caregivers of young children—that could further reduce respiratory illness in these regions? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments so communities can weigh effective options together.
