The Diabetes Education Workshop was successfully held at Dubbo Zoo on March 21, 2024. The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW supported this workshop, as did the University of Technology Sydney and the Care Partnership—Diabetes program.

The event was attended by Health Professionals from Western and Far West NSW LHDs, Aboriginal Medical Services, PHNs, and Non-Government Primary Care Providers. It was an excellent opportunity for the Aboriginal Healthcare Professionals to learn about the range of clinical management and education skills through different sessions. Learning activities included HbA1c testing, Glucose monitoring, Diabetes education, Cultural empathy, Diabetes communication, and case studies, where participants shared their own experiences and discussed them.

The facilitators, Dr. Marlene Payk, Dr Shannon Lin, and Grace Ward, delivered informative sessions, including discussions and activities to engage the participants.

Staff from AH&MRC’s Public Health, Member Engagement, and Training team attended and “enjoyed the learning and networking opportunities. AH&MRC will further work towards engaging member services to benefit from these workshops and is keen on providing ongoing support to the partner organisations in the future.”

Whooping cough continues to increase in NSW, particularly amongst school-aged children. Prompt diagnosis, isolation and antibiotics can reduce transmission and protect infants. Stay one step ahead and ensure infants are vaccinated on time, and all pregnant women are vaccinated between 20-32 weeks.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial respiratory infection that can cause severe disease or rarely death in infants. It typically presents as a persistent cough,  and often gets worse at night.

Read the full information sheet here.

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a virus that causes respiratory infections. It mostly affects young children but can also occur in adults. Infections are usually highest in late autumn or winter in NSW.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

For most people, RSV infection causes a mild respiratory illness. Symptoms usually begin around 2 to 8 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms can include:

• runny nose
• cough
• wheeze
• difficulty breathing
• fever
• cyanosis (bluish or greyish colour of the skin).

Babies under one year of age are more likely to develop breathing problems such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. They can be unsettled and have difficulty feeding.

How is RSV spread?

RSV is highly infectious. It can be spread through:

• large aerosol droplets made when someone coughs or sneezes
• touching a surface or object that virus droplets have landed on from an infected person.

A person is usually infectious while they have symptoms.

Who is at higher risk of severe RSV?

RSV can affect anyone and usually causes a mild infection. However, some people can get very sick from RSV, including:

• babies aged 12 months and under, especially those aged 6 months and under
• young children aged 2 years and under with medical conditions such as chronic lung disease or
  congenital heart disease.
• infants and young children aged 2 and under who were born pre-term or with a low birth-weight
• older adults, especially people with chronic heart or lung disease or weakened immune systems.

Children with asthma may have symptoms triggered by RSV. People who get severely unwell may need to go to hospital to help manage their symptoms.

How is RSV prevented?

Maintaining good hygiene can stop viruses spreading. If you have RSV and have symptoms, you should:

• stay at home
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• wear a mask where possible in crowded places
• avoid high risk settings (such as hospitals or aged care facilities) or contact with people at higher risk of severe illness such as infants, older people and those who are immunocompromised until you feel better.

Babies

Some babies are at higher risk of severe illness from RSV, andmay be eligible to get an immunisation to help protect them from severe disease.
For more information, please see RSV Prevention webpage.

People over 60

An RSV vaccine (Arexvy) is available for adults aged 60 years and older who may be at higher risk of severe illness from RSV. There is a cost for this vaccine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about the vaccine, eligibility and the cost. Read the latest advice from ATAGI.

How is RSV diagnosed?

RSV can be identified by a nose or throat swab (PCR test). Sometimes doctors can diagnose RSV based on signs and symptoms.

How is RSV managed?

RSV infections are usually mild and can be managed with:

• rest
• paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve pain
• regular sips of water or frequent feeds for babies to stay hydrated.

Continue to take any medications you have been prescribed as usual. If you are unsure about your current medication or treatment, or have any concerns about your health, call your doctor. Some people may need to go to hospital for treatment if their symptoms are severe.

Monitoring RSV symptoms in young children

RSV can cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis can usually be managed at home. Visit the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network website for bronchiolitis information.

Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free 24-hour health advice or make an appointment to see a doctor if your child:

• has a cough that is getting worse or has lasted longer than 4 weeks
• is refusing the breast or bottle
• has fewer wet nappies
• seems very tired or is more sleepy than usual
• you are worried in any way.

Call Triple Zero (000) or go to your local emergency department if your child:

• has difficulty breathing
• is breathing very fast
• cannot feed normally because of coughing or wheezing
• turns blue or has skin that is pale and sweaty.

What is the public health response to RSV?

RSV must be notified by laboratories in NSW. Trends in RSV notification are reported in the NSW respiratory surveillance reports, along with surveillance data on young children with bronchiolitis presenting to emergency departments.

Further information

For further information speak to your doctor or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free 24-hour health advice.

Every year we know NSW ACCHO’s use their valuable resources immunising their community. From 6 months of age, ALL people are recommended to have the seasonal flu vaccine and it is FREE for your community members and available now for 2024. Flu and COVID immunisations provide protection from serious illness for individuals and communities.

COVID boosters are recommended every year for those over 65 years old and every 6 months for those over 75 years old and are available year-round.

Both Flu and COVID vaccines can be given on the same day. To boost your immunising efforts this winter season, we are offering grants up to the value of $30,000 to provide ACCHO’s the opportunity of accessing some funding for immunising initiatives e.g. boosting staff numbers available to administer immunisations by employing an agency nurse for a few weeks or paying current staff to work on weekends/ after-hours to immunise etc.

If you are interested in receiving a grant, please complete the following:

EOI Form: Immunisation Grant – 2024 Winter Season.

This offer is limited and EOI’s will be judged on merit. The EOI applications are open until 26th April 2024.

We know that many ACCHO’s are continuing to feel the impact of COVID-19 and the lack of access to COVID-19 medical supplies from the Department of Health. AH&MRC are continuing to support member services with emergency PPE supplies available by completing the ACCHO Request Form.

Being up-to date with COVID-19 vaccination gives extra protection from becoming seriously unwell or dying from severe COVID-19 illness or its complications. COVID-19 continues to infect people throughout the year BUT COVID-19 is likely to spike again this winter and having influenza or other winter infections together with COVID-19 increases the chance of severe illness and complications, particularly for anyone over 65 years.

ATAGI has released its Advice for COVID-19 Vaccination in 2024 and AH&MRC has updated their COVID Booster Poster for 2024 in line with these recommendations. It can be downloaded from our website or if you would like hard copies please contact apaterson@ahmrc.org.au.It can be given to patients and displayed in your ACCHO’s to support staff informing community members who SHOULD get a COVID-19 vaccine now!

Remind the community about the importance of Stopping the Spread of Infection and Hand Hygiene which will help prevent spreading all respiratory illnesses.

There are other useful resources available to help guide clinical staff with any questions about COVID-19 vaccine:

• Recommended COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Poster
• COVID-19 Vaccines in Australia Poster
• Clinical Recommendations are in the COVID-19 Chapter of the Australian Immunisation Handbook
• Summary of the latest information regarding COVID 19 vaccination is available in the latest Vaccine Provider Bulletin.

If you have any questions, NACCHO at covid19vaccine@naccho.org.au or the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care at primarycareCOVIDvaccine@Health.gov.au who are are managing this process can be contacted directly.

Alternatively, you can contact publichealth@ahmrc.org.au to assist with your queries and we will keep you updated with any new recommendations which may be released in coming months.

The ‘flu’ season is coming and Influenza vaccines for the 2024 season are available now. Clinical advice for the 2024 influenza (Flu) vaccination program is available through ATAGI and  the National Immunisation Program.  

NSW Health have also released their 2024 Influenza Vaccination Provider Toolkit  where you will find up to date information for NSW ACCHO’s.   

In 2023 influenza had the highest impact on children under 16 years as seen in this graph from the National Communicable Disease Dashboard.

Children under 16 years of age represented over  70% of patients admitted to hospitals.

We anticipate the flu season in 2024 will be just as severe as 2023 if we do not get our community vaccinated. Vaccine coverage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW was low in most age groups last year but especially in our bubs and children.

This year we want ALL our community 6 months of age and older to get a flu vaccine and help keep our families healthy and strong this winter.