Latest news with #TorresStraitIslanders
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Spike in flu cases sparks plea over 'dire' rate of jabs
Spike in flu cases sparks plea over 'dire' rate of jabs Australians are being warned to get vaccinated before a possible severe flu season after an unusual spike in cases across the country. Low vaccination rates have reflected a "lack of concern" for influenza but Australians have been told not to underestimate the respiratory illness as winter looms. More than 71,000 flu cases have been reported in Australia since January 1, an unseasonally high rise. The rise in cases was unusual, the World Health Organisation's Patrick Reading said. It is more than 50 per cent higher than the previous record of flu cases during January to March 2024. The rise might reflect behavioural traits, Professor Reading said, such as the weather leading to more people indoors, travellers bringing the virus into Australia and a declining rate of vaccination. ADVERTISEMENT The northern hemisphere, particularly the United States, recorded a striking peak of influenza cases during its winter between December and February. However, even with these indicators, Prof Reading said it didn't make it any easier to predict the severity of the upcoming flu season, commonly from June to September. The spike in flu may be linked to declining vaccination, Professor Reading said. (HANDOUT/SCIMEX) "This will be dependent on a range of factors, which virus subtype becomes dominant or which strain becomes dominant," said Prof Reading, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research director. Experts will get a better idea of how to gauge the flu season's severity when cases begin piling up through winter. But the message is clear - now is the time to get vaccinated. People have been told to get the flu jab to protect themselves and those considered at high risk including young children, the elderly, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. ADVERTISEMENT "Our influenza vaccination rates in Australia are dire, and they're not improving," said Julie Leask, University of Sydney's Public Health and Social Scientist. Only 32 .5 per cent of over 65 year olds have received this year's flu jab to date. (Sam Mooy/AAP PHOTOS) At the end of 2024, 62 per cent of people aged over 65 received a flu vaccine while just 28 per cent of kids aged six months to five years old had coverage. This year doesn't seem to be tracking any better with 32.5 per cent of people over 65 so far receiving the flu jab. "There's a lack of concern about influenza," Professor Leask said. "It's the kind of underdog of infectious diseases, and people tend to underestimate its severity." Factors stopping people from getting a flu jab include the cost of the shot or going to the doctor, inconvenience in making an appointment, long wait times and unavailability, a National Vaccination Insights Project survey said. ADVERTISEMENT Flu vaccines are free for everyone in Queensland and Western Australia while other states slashed the fee for kids under five, people over 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Australia reported 365,000 influenza cases last year, with more than 4200 people admitted to hospital and 810 flu-related deaths.
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Spike in flu cases sparks plea over 'dire' rate of jabs
Australians are being warned to get vaccinated before a possible severe flu season after an unusual spike in cases across the country. Low vaccination rates have reflected a "lack of concern" for influenza but Australians have been told not to underestimate the respiratory illness as winter looms. More than 71,000 flu cases have been reported in Australia since January 1, an unseasonally high rise. The rise in cases was unusual, the World Health Organisation's Patrick Reading said. It is more than 50 per cent higher than the previous record of flu cases during January to March 2024. The rise might reflect behavioural traits, Professor Reading said, such as the weather leading to more people indoors, travellers bringing the virus into Australia and a declining rate of vaccination. The northern hemisphere, particularly the United States, recorded a striking peak of influenza cases during its winter between December and February. However, even with these indicators, Prof Reading said it didn't make it any easier to predict the severity of the upcoming flu season, commonly from June to September. "This will be dependent on a range of factors, which virus subtype becomes dominant or which strain becomes dominant," said Prof Reading, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research director. Experts will get a better idea of how to gauge the flu season's severity when cases begin piling up through winter. But the message is clear - now is the time to get vaccinated. People have been told to get the flu jab to protect themselves and those considered at high risk including young children, the elderly, pregnant women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. "Our influenza vaccination rates in Australia are dire, and they're not improving," said Julie Leask, University of Sydney's Public Health and Social Scientist. At the end of 2024, 62 per cent of people aged over 65 received a flu vaccine while just 28 per cent of kids aged six months to five years old had coverage. This year doesn't seem to be tracking any better with 32.5 per cent of people over 65 so far receiving the flu jab. "There's a lack of concern about influenza," Professor Leask said. "It's the kind of underdog of infectious diseases, and people tend to underestimate its severity." Factors stopping people from getting a flu jab include the cost of the shot or going to the doctor, inconvenience in making an appointment, long wait times and unavailability, a National Vaccination Insights Project survey said. Flu vaccines are free for everyone in Queensland and Western Australia while other states slashed the fee for kids under five, people over 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Australia reported 365,000 influenza cases last year, with more than 4200 people admitted to hospital and 810 flu-related deaths.
Saudi Gazette
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Teen charged after Australia PM candidate's office vandalized
SYDNEY — A teenager has been charged after Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton's office was vandalized for the third time during the election campaign. The Liberal Party leader's office in Arana Hills, Brisbane was splattered in red paint, and covered with posters criticizing his stance on a number of issues. Police say four people seen acting suspiciously at the site in the early hours of the morning fled when officers arrived, but an 18-year-old woman was tracked by the dog squad and charged with causing wilful damage. Australians vote in an election on Saturday, 3 May, and Dutton has in recent days caused controversy for his comments about ceremonial Aboriginal rites. The opposition leader has been criticized by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including former party colleagues, after saying Aboriginal "welcome to country" ceremonies are "overdone". The short ritual has become standard at public events and recognizes traditional land owners. One of the posters plastered on his office said "always was, always will be Aboriginal land". Others criticized his comments about finding "common ground" with Donald Trump, his stance on the Israel-Gaza war, and his links to mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. The same office was vandalized earlier this month, with the words "maggot" and "scum" written in black, and again a few days later, with a window smashed and white paint splashed across the entrance. Dutton is yet to comment on the vandalism, but members of his party have previously said attacks on political offices are "out of control". "Unfortunately this is an increasingly frequent occurrence, not just targeting Peter's office - although his has been targeted a number of times - but targeting members of parliament all around the country with graffiti and even more serious acts of violence," James Paterson told Sky News Australia last week. — BBC
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Teen charged after Australia PM candidate's office vandalised
A teenager has been charged after Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton's office was vandalised for the third time during the election campaign. The Liberal Party leader's office in Arana Hills, Brisbane was splattered in red paint, and covered with posters criticising his stance on a number of issues. Police say four people seen acting suspiciously at the site in the early hours of the morning fled when officers arrived, but an 18-year-old woman was tracked by the dog squad and charged with causing wilful damage. Australians vote in an election on Saturday, 3 May, and Dutton has in recent days caused controversy for his comments about ceremonial Aboriginal rites. The opposition leader has been criticised by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including former party colleagues, after saying Aboriginal "welcome to country" ceremonies are "overdone". The short ritual has become standard at public events and recognises traditional land owners. Australia PM candidate says Aboriginal welcomes 'overdone' One of the posters plastered on his office said "always was, always will be Aboriginal land". Others criticised his comments about finding "common ground" with Donald Trump, his stance on the Israel-Gaza war, and his links to mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. The same office was vandalised earlier this month, with the words "maggot" and "scum" written in black, and again a few days later, with a window smashed and white paint splashed across the entrance. Dutton is yet to comment on the vandalism, but members of his party have previously said attacks on political offices are "out of control". "Unfortunately this is an increasingly frequent occurrence, not just targeting Peter's office - although his has been targeted a number of times - but targeting members of parliament all around the country with graffiti and even more serious acts of violence," James Paterson told Sky News Australia last week. Albanese faces headwinds ahead of Australian election When is the Australian election and who could be prime minister? Peter Dutton: The ex-cop who brought Australia's opposition back from the brink Anthony Albanese: The 'working-class hero' who fell out of favour
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Australia election: Teen charged after Peter Dutton's office vandalised
A teenager has been charged after Australian opposition leader Peter Dutton's office was vandalised for the third time during the election Liberal Party leader's office in Arana Hills, Brisbane was splattered in red paint, and covered with posters criticising his stance on a number of say four people seen acting suspiciously at the site in the early hours of the morning fled when officers arrived, but an 18-year-old woman was tracked by the dog squad and charged with causing wilful vote in an election on Saturday, 3 May, and Dutton has in recent days caused controversy for his comments about ceremonial Aboriginal rites. The opposition leader has been criticised by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including former party colleagues, after saying Aboriginal "welcome to country" ceremonies are "overdone". The short ritual has become standard at public events and recognises traditional land owners. One of the posters plastered on his office said "always was, always will be Aboriginal land". Others criticised his comments about finding "common ground" with Donald Trump, his stance on the Israel-Gaza war, and his links to mining billionaire Gina same office was vandalised earlier this month, with the words "maggot" and "scum" written in black, and again a few days later, with a window smashed and white paint splashed across the entrance. Dutton is yet to comment on the vandalism, but members of his party have previously said attacks on political offices are "out of control"."Unfortunately this is an increasingly frequent occurrence, not just targeting Peter's office - although his has been targeted a number of times - but targeting members of parliament all around the country with graffiti and even more serious acts of violence," James Paterson told Sky News Australia last week.
