Latest news with #QueenslandHealth
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
'Becoming the dominant strain': New sub variant of Covid-19 wreaking havoc as epidemiologist encourages vaccinations amid rising infections
A distinguished epidemiologist has issued a warning over a new strain of Covid-19 as infection rates in Australia continue to rise. Omicron strain subvariant NB.1.8.1 is spreading fast in Queensland, which has seen a sudden spike in the number of people infected with Covid-19. A report by Queensland Health said 671 people were diagnosed with the disease in the week ending May 25, which was an 18 per cent increase from the week prior. There had been 15,693 notified cases of Covid-19 in the state since the beginning of this year according to the report, meaning an average of over 100 new cases per day. There were 54 people in hospital with the disease in Queensland as of Sunday, and the health authority reported 3,388 hospitalised cases between January 1 and May 25. The strain is also the most dominant variant in wastewater samples taken in Perth, while it makes up less than 10 per cent of cases in South Australia, and more than 40 per cent in Victoria. Deakin University distinguished professor and chair in epidemiology Catherine Bennett said NB.1.81. is a sub-variant, related to the JN.1 family of variants and was first reported in January 2025. "It's quickly becoming the dominant strain in both northern and southern hemispheres and will be the variant responsible for our next wave that's on our doorstep," she told "The variant doesn't seem to cause more severe disease but it has a different combination of mutations on the spike protein that make it less recognisable to our immune system and is also better at latching onto receptors in our respiratory linings, making it more infectious. "So those two things together, better able to escape our immune response and more infectious, means will spread quickly and replace older variants." Professor Bennett said Covid vaccines will still be effective in protecting against "severe disease" as it still targets the JN.1 family of variants. She urged more vulnerable people to stay up to date with their vaccines to prevent serious illness. "People over 65 are encouraged to stay up to date with a booster each year, two if over 75, and now is the best time to have it if due as this will then have time to build protection at the start of this wave and provide some protection through the wave which usually lasts 6-8 weeks. People who are immunocompromised should also check their booster status," she said. "Because we had a quiet summer wave most other adults won't have had the same natural boosting as in previous years, so (they) might also want to consider having a booster if it's been a while since they had an infection. "(There's) a few nasty bugs around already with RSV rates in try rise and rhinovirus causing some nasty colds, so also time to be aware of our own symptoms and trying not to spread infections ourselves, whatever virus it is."
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
‘Serious threat': Fresh Covid warnings as jab rates decline
Covid vaccination rates in Queensland are at their lowest since the jabs were introduced five years ago, with health professionals warning that the virus still poses a 'serious threat' to the community. Fewer than 250,000 Queenslanders have received their free Covid booster this year, prompting urgent calls from doctors to people who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab. The calls come as new data from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed that more than 15,000 Covid cases had been reported in Queensland since January, with almost 3000 people hospitalised with the virus. 'We have dropped the ball with Covid-19 vaccinations, but this disease is still very prevalent in the community and poses a serious threat to high-risk patients,' Mater director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said. 'Particularly for high-risk people, it should now be a once-a-year booster, just like the flu vaccine is, and with winter here next week, now is the time to get vaccinated and it's safe to get them both together. 'There are hundreds of different strains of Omicron, and the new subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is driving up infections and hospitalisations, particularly in Asia and Western Australia. 'The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get the newest booster which provides very good coverage, is safe, and will reduce the severity of your symptoms if you contract Covid-19.' Queensland health providers are dealing with high cases of both flu and RSV, in addition to Covid. More than 2000 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with the flu this year. Cases are up more than 30 per cent from the same time last year, but only a quarter of Queenslanders have been vaccinated. 'We are at our lowest levels of vaccination and protection in five years and with early rises in cases with winter approaching, the impact on our healthcare system could be significant, particularly with high levels of flu and RSV,' Professor Griffin said. The Covid and flu vaccines are free in Queensland and available at most pharmacies and GP clinics, and they are safe to receive at the same time In addition to Covid and the flu, about 12,000 cases of RSV have been reported in Queensland this year, with more than 1500 people hospitalised. 'More than half of these hospitalisations have been for the most vulnerable in our community, babies less than six months and people over 65,' Professor Griffin said. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation for babies in Australia, and Queensland recorded the highest number of deaths due to RSV last year. RSV vaccinations are free for pregnant women, with immunity then passed onto babies up until they are six months old.
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Health
- Sky News AU
Fears over new highly contagious Covid-19 strain surging as states records increase in infections
Health experts have urged people to keep up to date with their Covid-19 vaccinations amid fears of a dangerous new strain as reported cases surge. Omicron strain subvariant NB. 1.8.1 is already rising in Queensland, which has seen a sudden spike in the number of people infected with Covid-19. A report by Queensland Health said 671 people in the state were diagnosed with the disease in the week ending May 25, which was an 18 per cent increase from the week prior. There had been 15,693 notified cases of Covid-19 in the state since the beginning of this year according to the report, meaning an average of over 100 new cases per day. There were 54 people in hospital with the disease in Queensland as of Sunday, and the health authority reported 3,388 hospitalised cases between January 1 and May 25. University of South Australia biostatistics and epidemiology professor Adrian Esterman said the new strain was behind the rise in cases being observed. 'In the last four weeks, cases have gone up each week, and that is most certainly due to this new strain,' Mr Esterman told the Courier Mail. 'We have to be concerned about older people and those with impaired immune systems or other health conditions, they need to be keeping up to date with booster shots.' AMA Queensland president Dr Nick Yim told the masthead evidence indicates the NB. 1.8.1 variant could potentially spread easier than previous strains. 'The emergence of NB. 1.8.1 is a timely reminder that Covid-19 is still circulating in our community and continues to evolve,' Dr Yim said. With winter on the way and Covid-19 cases increasing, he urged people to 'protect yourself and those around you'. 'We are worried that some complacency has set in and urge all eligible Queenslanders to get their free booster as soon as possible,' Dr Yim said. In New South Wales, Covid-19 increased to a 'moderate level of activity' last week and NSW Health outlined that vaccinations are 'especially important' at the moment. NSW emergency department visits and admissions for people with Covid-19 have been increasing over the last three weeks, with a report published on Thursday said. In the week ending May 24, the state has seen an increase of 29.2 per cent in notified Covid-19 cases and the rate of positive test results spike to 6.7 per cent. In Victoria, the Department of Health's latest respiratory surveillance report said though Covid-19 activity had remained low, the state had seen a 43.8 per cent Covid-19 notifications in the second week of May.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Cash, cars and contraband: tobacco raids target shops
A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders. Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market. Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state's southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties. During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store. Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store. Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May. "Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid," State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said. It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco. The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million. Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April. Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130. It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months - a penalty no other state has introduced. Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions. "We'll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders," he said. Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year. It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits. A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders. Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market. Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state's southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties. During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store. Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store. Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May. "Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid," State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said. It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco. The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million. Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April. Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130. It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months - a penalty no other state has introduced. Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions. "We'll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders," he said. Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year. It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits. A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders. Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market. Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state's southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties. During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store. Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store. Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May. "Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid," State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said. It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco. The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million. Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April. Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130. It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months - a penalty no other state has introduced. Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions. "We'll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders," he said. Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year. It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits. A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders. Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market. Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state's southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties. During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store. Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store. Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May. "Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid," State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said. It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco. The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million. Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April. Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130. It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months - a penalty no other state has introduced. Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions. "We'll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders," he said. Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year. It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Cash, cars and contraband: tobacco raids target shops
A fake wall full of cash has been found along with a secret tobacco store in a crackdown on illegal traders. Almost $500,000 in cash and assets including a top of the range Mercedes has been seized after Queensland launched raids on the tobacco black market. Raids were carried out on more than 20 stores across the state's southeast after the shops were fined for selling illegal tobacco but failed to pay the penalties. During one raid, police officers found the shop owner was trying to hide cash behind a fake wall in the back of their store. Another was operating a hidden tobacco shop at the rear of their retail store. Officers have seized $468,000 in cash and other assets, including a Mercedes AMG and an SUV, during the raids since early May. "Our officers will continue to ensure these debtors face consequences by seizing their cash and other property until these debts are paid," State Penalties Enforcement Registry director Kim Easton said. It comes months after a Queensland Health operation seized more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million illicit cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose illicit tobacco. The haul had an estimated street value of $20.8 million. Queensland introduced nation-leading fines for retail store operators who sold illegal tobacco and vapes in April. Individuals can be fined $32,260, up from $3226, and corporations can be slapped with $161,300, up from $16,130. It follows laws introduced in September, enabling authorities to close offending businesses for up to six months - a penalty no other state has introduced. Treasurer David Janetzki said a number of stores had chosen to close permanently due to the recent enforcement actions. "We'll continue to support SPER and other agencies so they can use their full powers under the law to prevent chop shops from selling illegal tobacco and vapes, particularly to young Queenslanders," he said. Illegal tobacco sales have prompted violence in southern states, with more than 100 firebombings in Victoria in two years, while seven men have been arrested across Sydney over the theft of illegal cigarettes and chop-chop, or loose tobacco, in the past year. It is believed the attacks and thefts are a result of ongoing wars between criminal gangs over illegal tobacco profits.
