Latest news with #NSWHealth
West Australian
4 days ago
- Health
- West Australian
New Covid subvariant NB. 1.8.1 detected in NSW, WA
A new Covid-19 subvariant, NB. 1.8.1, is beginning to take hold in NSW and Western Australia, sparking concern among health authorities as Australia heads into the winter months. According to the latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, Covid-19 and influenza activity remain low overall, but early signs point to a gradual increase in Covid-19 infections, with test positivity rising to 5.7 per cent in the week ending May 17. 'We are now reporting emerging sublineage NB. 1.8.1 which is increasing in NSW,' the report reads. Wastewater surveillance in Perth also shows NB. 1.8.1 is surging in the region. While the subvariant does not appear to cause more severe illness than earlier strains, its rapid growth is raising flags both locally and internationally. The World Health Organisation recently noted that NB. 1.8.1 was increasing in prevalence globally, including in Hong Kong, where Covid hospitalisations have reached 12-month highs, and also in parts of the US. NSW Health is continuing to monitor the subvariant closely, particularly among ICU patients, to assess any changes in disease severity. For now, the variant appears more transmissible but not more dangerous. Vaccines remain effective at preventing severe disease from NB. 1.8.1, and health officials are urging residents to stay up to date with boosters and flu shots. In both NSW and WA, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is circulating at high levels, especially among children. WA Health has warned of a potentially early start to the flu season, with more than 6500 flu cases already recorded this year and free flu and RSV immunisations available to eligible residents until June 30. Authorities are reminding Australians to maintain good hygiene, stay home when unwell and ensure vaccinations are current to help ease pressure on hospitals over winter.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Concern as new COVID variant begins to take hold in WA
A new COVID-19 subvariant, NB. 1.8.1, is beginning to take hold in NSW and Western Australia, sparking concern among health authorities as Australia heads into the winter months. According to the latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, COVID-19 and influenza activity remain low overall, but early signs point to a gradual increase in Covid-19 infections, with test positivity rising to 5.7 per cent in the week ending May 17. 'We are now reporting emerging sublineage NB. 1.8.1 which is increasing in NSW,' the report reads. Wastewater surveillance in Perth also shows NB. 1.8.1 is surging in the region. While the subvariant does not appear to cause more severe illness than earlier strains, its rapid growth is raising flags both locally and internationally. Estimated weekly distribution of Covid-19 sub-lineages in the community, November 1, 2023 to May 10, 2025. NSW Health Credit: News Corp Australia The World Health Organisation recently noted that NB. 1.8.1 was increasing in prevalence globally, including in Hong Kong, where COVID hospitalisations have reached 12-month highs, and also in parts of the US. NSW Health is continuing to monitor the subvariant closely, particularly among ICU patients, to assess any changes in disease severity. For now, the variant appears more transmissible but not more dangerous. The Covid-19 subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is being closely monitored by health authorities. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NCA NewsWire Vaccines remain effective at preventing severe disease from NB. 1.8.1, and health officials are urging residents to stay up to date with boosters and flu shots. In both NSW and WA, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is circulating at high levels, especially among children. WA Health has warned of a potentially early start to the flu season, with more than 6500 flu cases already recorded this year and free flu and RSV immunisations available to eligible residents until June 30. Authorities are reminding Australians to maintain good hygiene, stay home when unwell and ensure vaccinations are current to help ease pressure on hospitals over winter.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
New Covid subvariant NB. 1.8.1 detected in NSW, WA
A new Covid-19 subvariant, NB. 1.8.1, is beginning to take hold in NSW and Western Australia, sparking concern among health authorities as Australia heads into the winter months. According to the latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report, Covid-19 and influenza activity remain low overall, but early signs point to a gradual increase in Covid-19 infections, with test positivity rising to 5.7 per cent in the week ending May 17. 'We are now reporting emerging sublineage NB. 1.8.1 which is increasing in NSW,' the report reads. Wastewater surveillance in Perth also shows NB. 1.8.1 is surging in the region. While the subvariant does not appear to cause more severe illness than earlier strains, its rapid growth is raising flags both locally and internationally. The World Health Organisation recently noted that NB. 1.8.1 was increasing in prevalence globally, including in Hong Kong, where Covid hospitalisations have reached 12-month highs, and also in parts of the US. NSW Health is continuing to monitor the subvariant closely, particularly among ICU patients, to assess any changes in disease severity. For now, the variant appears more transmissible but not more dangerous. Vaccines remain effective at preventing severe disease from NB. 1.8.1, and health officials are urging residents to stay up to date with boosters and flu shots. In both NSW and WA, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is circulating at high levels, especially among children. WA Health has warned of a potentially early start to the flu season, with more than 6500 flu cases already recorded this year and free flu and RSV immunisations available to eligible residents until June 30. Authorities are reminding Australians to maintain good hygiene, stay home when unwell and ensure vaccinations are current to help ease pressure on hospitals over winter.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Cancer surgeries getting delayed at major hospital to hit waitlist targets, doctor claims
Surgeons at a major regional NSW hospital are warning patients' lives are being put at risk because of delays to cancer operations. In response to our story the NSW Health Minister's office told us that NSW Health is now reviewing the re-categorisation of surgeries undertaken at Orange Hospital. Joanna Woodburn reports for 7.30. Statement from Western NSW Local Health District.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
New South Wales battered by hazardous dust storm in wake of record floods
Australians in New South Wales are facing yet another extreme weather challenge even as thousands are still reeling from days of storms and unprecedented flooding. Massive dust clouds blanketed parts of the state, including the capital of Sydney, on Tuesday, creating conditions which experts warn are hazardous to health. Authorities warned of 'extremely poor' air quality in some suburbs, with PM10 particle levels exceeding 600 – far above the 'good' threshold of 40, according to environmental standards. PM10 refers to particles with a diameter of 10 micrometres or fewer, which are 'small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs', according to NSW Health. Short-term exposure to them can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and lung or heart disease. Particles in the air may include dust, sea salt, and by-products from fires, vehicles and industrial sources, according to Air Quality NSW. 'These particles can pass into the lungs,' the agency said, adding they can trigger breathing difficulties, eye and throat irritation, or worsen chronic bronchitis and asthma. The dust storm originated in South Australia and swept across Victoria, reducing visibility to as little as 300 metres (1,000 feet) before moving into central and southeastern New South Wales, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
