Latest news with #PaulGriffin
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Health emergency: Deadly Mpox strain Clade 1 hits Australia, only the 2nd case ever
IANS Rare and dangerous mpox strain detected in Queensland A rare and more dangerous strain of the Mpox virus, known as Clade 1, has been confirmed in Queensland, marking the first-ever case in the state and only the second known detection of this strain in Australia's history. Queensland Health officials say the individual had recently returned from overseas and was diagnosed while seeking care at Logan Hospital in the state's Metro South region. Contact tracing is currently underway, and public health teams are working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. 'Clade 1 is notorious for causing a more widespread rash, big blisters or pox-like lesions, typically all over the body,' said Dr. Paul Griffin, infectious diseases expert. 'And because it is more severe, they can have other symptoms like high fevers.'The virus, previously known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close, prolonged, or intimate contact, including skin-to-skin contact or exposure to bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials like clothing or bedding. The patient is in isolation, and authorities say there is no current threat to the broader community. Mpox Clade 1 is far more severe than Clade 2, the milder strain that caused most of Australia's 2022 outbreak. Clade 1 has been associated with higher rates of complications, including secondary infections and in rare cases, first Australian case of Clade 1 was reported in New South Wales in May 2025, also in a traveler returning from Africa. Clade 1 is more common in Central Africa and has been spreading more widely in the past year, prompting increased surveillance globally. What is MPox?Mpox is a viral infection similar to smallpox, but typically milder. It causes fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic blistering rash. What makes Clade 1 different? Clade 1 is a more dangerous strain. It causes larger, widespread blisters, more severe fever, and sometimes serious complications. It has a higher mortality rate than Clade 2, particularly in countries with limited healthcare access. How does Mpox spread? Mpox spreads through: Close or intimate contact (skin-to-skin, kissing, sex) Contact with lesions or scabs Respiratory droplets in close, prolonged face-to-face interaction Contaminated clothing, bedding, or surfaces Who is at risk?While anyone can contract Mpox, the risk is higher for: People with multiple intimate partners Travelers returning from endemic areas Close contacts of confirmed cases Healthcare and frontline workers Is there a vaccine?Yes. Australia offers free MPox vaccines to high-risk individuals. Two doses are recommended for full protection. Contact your local sexual health clinic or GP to book.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Health emergency: Deadly Mpox strain Clade 1 hits Australia, only the 2nd case ever
A rare and more dangerous strain of the Mpox virus, known as Clade 1, has been confirmed in Queensland, marking the first-ever case in the state and only the second known detection of this strain in Australia's history. Queensland Health officials say the individual had recently returned from overseas and was diagnosed while seeking care at Logan Hospital in the state's Metro South region. Contact tracing is currently underway, and public health teams are working to identify and notify anyone who may have been exposed. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Data Analytics Leadership Others Design Thinking Cybersecurity healthcare others Product Management MCA Management Digital Marketing Degree MBA Operations Management Data Science Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Finance Public Policy Data Science Project Management CXO Technology PGDM Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Visualization Predictive Analytics & Machine Learning Business Intelligence & Data-Driven Decision Making Analytics Strategy & Implementation Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Applied Business Analytics Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details 'Clade 1 is notorious for causing a more widespread rash, big blisters or pox-like lesions, typically all over the body,' said Dr. Paul Griffin, infectious diseases expert. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unbelievable: Calculator Shows The Value Of Your House Instantly (Take a Look) Home Value Calculator Search Now Undo 'And because it is more severe, they can have other symptoms like high fevers.' The virus, previously known as monkeypox, spreads primarily through close, prolonged, or intimate contact, including skin-to-skin contact or exposure to bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials like clothing or bedding. Live Events The patient is in isolation, and authorities say there is no current threat to the broader community. Rare but serious threat Mpox Clade 1 is far more severe than Clade 2, the milder strain that caused most of Australia's 2022 outbreak. Clade 1 has been associated with higher rates of complications, including secondary infections and in rare cases, death. The first Australian case of Clade 1 was reported in New South Wales in May 2025, also in a traveler returning from Africa. Clade 1 is more common in Central Africa and has been spreading more widely in the past year, prompting increased surveillance globally. FAQs What is MPox? Mpox is a viral infection similar to smallpox, but typically milder. It causes fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic blistering rash. What makes Clade 1 different? Clade 1 is a more dangerous strain. It causes larger, widespread blisters, more severe fever, and sometimes serious complications. It has a higher mortality rate than Clade 2, particularly in countries with limited healthcare access. How does Mpox spread? Mpox spreads through: Close or intimate contact (skin-to-skin, kissing, sex) Contact with lesions or scabs Respiratory droplets in close, prolonged face-to-face interaction Contaminated clothing, bedding, or surfaces Who is at risk? While anyone can contract Mpox, the risk is higher for: People with multiple intimate partners Travelers returning from endemic areas Close contacts of confirmed cases Healthcare and frontline workers Is there a vaccine? Yes. Australia offers free MPox vaccines to high-risk individuals. Two doses are recommended for full protection. Contact your local sexual health clinic or GP to book.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Elective surgeries put on hold at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital amid spike in flu cases
Elective surgeries will be paused at two of Queensland's biggest hospitals for 48 hours due to emergency departments being "overwhelmed" by flu and COVID cases. Category two and three surgeries for 185 patients will be postponed at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital, and Caboolture Hospital. Urgent category one surgeries will still go ahead. Health minister Tim Nicholls said the Metro North Hospital and Health Service had been raised to tier three status with resources needing to be diverted to emergency departments. He said more than 250 people were hospitalised across the state last week with influenza. Almost 3,600 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with flu so far this year, a number Mr Nicholls described as "startling". "My understanding is that 90 per cent of those people who are ending up in hospital at the moment [with flu] are not vaccinated," he said. Mr Nicholls said the health service was confident a 48 hour pause would be sufficient to ease pressure on the system. "That will depend on presentations to our hospitals over the next 48 hours," he said. Australian Medical Association Queensland director Paul Griffin urged Queenslanders to get their free flu shots to ease pressure on the system. He said 16 per cent more people had been hospitalised with the flu compared to last year. "AMA Queensland is urging Queenslanders to get their flu shot and get it as quickly as you can," he said. Mr Nicholls said people should still go to hospital in the case of an emergency. "if you are ill and you feel you need to go to hospital, go to an emergency department. You will be looked after, you will get care, you will get treatment," he said.
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
How you can stay healthy when travelling overseas and what to do if you get sick
As many Australians prepare to jet off to warmer Asian climates for a winter break, health experts are urging them to stay vigilant for infectious diseases including COVID-19. New COVID-19 subvariants are circulating across popular holiday destinations in South-East Asia, prompting health alerts and increased screening and surveillance measures in some ports. While there are no new travel warnings specifically for Australians, doctors say now is the time to check vaccinations, pack health essentials, and take basic precautions like mask-wearing in crowded areas. Here's what's happening in the region — and how you can stay healthy overseas, regardless of where you're travelling. More than 236,000 COVID infections have been reported across South-East Asia in the past few weeks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That includes more than 85,000 in Thailand and over 5,000 in India in the past week. The WHO says a new subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is driving an increase in cases in parts of South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The organisation is urging countries in the region to strengthen surveillance and encourage vaccinations. In Bangladesh, authorities have urged citizens to avoid non-essential trips to India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia due to a sudden rise in COVID cases in those places. The country has also bolstered health screening and surveillance measures at land, sea and air ports. Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Queensland, says Australians should be aware of the spread of new subvariants. "The risk of COVID is still significant — both while travelling and here in Australia," Professor Griffin says. "The backbone of protection, whether at home or overseas, is vaccination and we're simply not doing enough of that at the moment." Professor Griffin says the wave of new infections is linked to the FLiRT subvariant family and the newer NB.1.8.1 strain. "It's not necessarily more severe, but it does seem better at evading previous immunity and attaching to human cells, making it more infectious," he says. "That's why it's important to have a recent booster, like the JN.1-based one, which still offers excellent protection against these new strains." Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has not issued any new travel alerts specifically for COVID risk in South-East Asia. However, it has advised to exercise a "high degree of caution" in Indonesia overall due to security risks. The Australian government recommends you monitor Smartraveller for destination-specific health advice and stay informed about local rules and entry requirements. Broadly, there are no signs Australians are reconsidering travel. Source: ATIA, ABS Demand for international flights remains high, with a new report from the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) showing outbound travel up 12.1 per cent in the 12 months to April. ATIA chief executive Dean Long says Australians are prioritising value and climate while COVID "is not really part of the decision-making process for most people". "People who are worried are still taking precautions, but it's no longer top of mind for the majority of travellers." Okay, but what if you're planning to travel elsewhere internationally? Professor Griffin says healthy, vaccinated Australians can still travel safely but need to factor COVID into their planning. "There are still basic things everyone can do: get a booster, wear a mask when appropriate, practice good hand hygiene and make sure you're in well-ventilated spaces," he says. Professor Griffin says older Australians or those with pre-existing health conditions should consider getting tailored medical advice before they leave. He recommended making sure vaccinations are up to date at least two weeks before departure. Doctors say the best defence is preparation. Pack a basic travel health kit, including hand sanitiser, masks, electrolytes, paracetamol and any personal medications. If you do fall ill overseas, DFAT advises seeking local medical care promptly and contacting your travel insurer early, as they may help organise treatment or cover costs. If you're too sick or need help finding an English-speaking doctor, DFAT can provide a list of nearby doctors or hospitals. Consular officials can help connect you with local healthcare and provide support in emergencies. Experts say yes, but only if you read the fine print. Professor Griffin reiterated the importance of carefully reviewing travel insurance policies before departure. "One of the big issues is coverage for pre-existing conditions," he says. "If your illness is deemed related to one of those, you may not be covered — even for COVID." He also warned some insurers have scaled back the extra COVID protections they introduced during the pandemic, so you could be caught out if you need to cancel or extend your trip due to illness. "If you get sick, you may need to isolate or delay your return. That's where good travel insurance really becomes critical." Mr Long urged Australians to go beyond the basics for travel insurance, warning that some credit card policies offer limited protection. "There are a number of policies that now include COVID because it's just a health condition," he says.
The Australian
06-06-2025
- General
- The Australian
Two new cases of malaria detected in Queensland, brings infection total to 71
An outbreak of a potentially fatal disease continues in the Sunshine State as authorities race to investigate two more locally acquired cases, bringing the total number of infections this year to 71. Queensland Health confirmed a second locally acquired infection was recently identified in the Torres Strait Islands local government area. Ninety-seven per cent of the cases this year to date have come from overseas, predominantly Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. There are now 71 cases of the potentially deadly disease recorded in the Sunshine State to date this year. Picture: WHO It is a major increase in numbers, with 69 infections recorded in the same period in 2024, 50 in 2023, 20 in 2022 and only four in 2021. The presence of floodwaters is believed to be a key reason for the spike. Malaria is preventable and curable, and is not able to be passed from person to person, but rather spread through the bites of some infected Anopheles mosquitoes. 'We don't have mosquitoes capable of passing malaria on all throughout the country, but certainly in the more tropical parts of our country, the Northern Territory and northern parts of Queensland,' Mater Health infectious diseases director Paul Griffin said. 'That's why in those areas we need to give people that advice to make sure we reduce the chance of local transmission. Mater Health infectious diseases director Paul Griffin said it was important to advise Australians on how to avoid being bitten. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards 'With more significant types of malaria, the severe consequences can be involvement of the brain, so cerebral malaria and even death,' he told ABC News. 'It is something that we do need to take seriously and make sure we take steps to limit how much it is able to be passed on in our country.' According to the World Health Organisation, the most common early symptoms of malaria are fever, headache and chills. They typically start within 10 to 15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. Hannah Wilcox Cadet Reporter Hannah Wilcox is part of News Corp's National Cadet Program's 2024 cohort. She has previously written for both digital and print publications. Hannah Wilcox
