New COVID wave could hit WA during peak flu season, residents warned to get vaccinated

Peak flu season looks set to coincide with what appears to be a new COVID wave, spelling double jeopardy for the elderly and other vulnerable West Australians. The 14-day average of currently hospitalised COVID cases increased by 25 from 77 to 96 the fortnight up to April 14, the latest surveillance data shows. Sewage testing by WA Health also showed increasing concentrations of the virus in samples collected from Perth wastewater. Genomic sequencing of clinical and wastewater samples both indicated the JN.1.X Omicron sub-strain of the virus was driving new infections. So far this year, the number of influenza notifications and hospitalisations were significantly higher than the previous five-year average for the same period. Up to April 14, there have been 409 flu hospitalisations, compared with the five-year average - a 60 per cent increase. Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Paul Armstrong, urged all West Australians to get vaccinated as soon as possible to ensure the best protection during the peak of the influenza season, which typically spans July to October. “It is widely recognised that the elderly, young children, people with underlying medical conditions, Aboriginal people and pregnant women are at higher risk of severe influenza illness, however we must also emphasise the benefits of immunising those who aren’t in these higher risk groups, to protect them as well as decreasing the risk of spread in the broader community,” Dr Armstrong said. “WA Health is urging everyone to book in and get their free flu vaccine at their participating GP, pharmacy or Aboriginal health clinic this May and June.” This year’s flu campaign is running alongside Australia’s first immunisation program to protect babies from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a highly infectious respiratory virus that infects more up to two-thirds of all babies in their first year of life and, every year, hospitalises more than 1,000 infants in WA. RSV hospitalisations so far this year (276) is up on last year’s figure (161) for the same period. Babies born on or after 1 October 2023 can now receive the Therapeutic Goods Association-approved antibody ‘nirsevimab’ at GP practices, Community Health Clinics and Aboriginal Medical Services that provide childhood immunisations. Children with certain medical conditions that increase their risk of hospitalisation, and Aboriginal children born from 1 October 2022, are also eligible. Dr Armstrong acknowledged the increase in COVID transmission, but said it was too early to know whether this indicated the start of a new wave. “Vaccination against COVID remains a safe and effective way to prevent severe illness from this infection,” he said. “A booster dose is recommended for adults if their last COVID jab or confirmed infection (whichever is the most recent) was six months ago or longer and they are aged 65 years and older or aged 18 to 64 years (with) complex medical needs that increase their risk of severe COVID, or have disability with complex health needs. “Some young children aged six months to four years may also be eligible for a COVID jab if they’re severely immunocompromised, (or have) a disability, complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase their risk of severe COVID. “If you are not sure if you, your child or other family member should have a COVID vaccination, speak to your GP or other immunisation provider to get specific advice,” Dr Armstrong said. Scientists have reported the longest COVID infection, lasting 613 days. The 72-year-old immunocompromised man from Holland was infected for so long, the virus evolved into a new drug-resistant variant inside his body. He died of a blood disorder relapse while still infected. His immune system was compromised following a stem cell transplant and other conditions that required him to have treatments which deplete the immune cells that fight COVID. Fortunately, the patient did not pass on the new, drug-resistant variant of COVID to anyone else before he died. Scientists said the case highlighted the potential for new COVID-19 variants to arise in immunocompromised patients with very long infections.