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Influenza
Influenza
Statutory notification alert
Influenza viral infection is a notifiable infectious disease in Western Australia.
See
notifiable communicable disease case definitions (Word 1.29MB)
.
Notifications should be made using the communicable disease notification form for
metropolitan residents (PDF 214KB)
or
regional residents (PDF 213KB)
.
For notification of regional residents see contact details of
public health units
.
See also description of
Statutory medical notifications in Western Australia
.
Public health management
Important information
Infectious agent
: Influenza virus, mainly types A, B and C and many subtypes and strains
.
Transmission
: Influenza viruses are mainly spread by droplets made when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Influenza can also be spread through touching surfaces where infected droplets have landed.
Incubation period
: Usually 1 to 3 days.
Infectious period:
People with influenza can be infectious from the day before their symptoms start. Adults are most infectious in the first 3-5 days of their illness, while children remain infectious for 7-10 days, and people with weakened immune systems may be infectious for longer.
Case exclusion
: Recommend cases exclude themselves until symptoms resolve.
Contact exclusion:
Do not exclude.
Treatment:
Generally bed rest and symptomatic treatment. Specific influenza antiviral medicines can reduce the severity and the duration of influenza if taken soon after onset of symptoms.
Immunisation
: Is recommended annually for any persons after 6 months of age. It is strongly recommended for: children; pregnant women; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged ≥15 years; elderly; non-Aboriginal people ≥65 years, healthcare workers and people with certain health conditions; See
Western Australian vaccination schedule
and
Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition, Department of Health (external site)
.
Case follow-up
: Public health action focuses on outbreaks in high-risk settings such as health care facilities, special schools, residential care facilities, and Aboriginal communities.
Guidelines
Influenza infection national guidelines for public health units (external site)
Western Australian vaccination schedule
Communicable Disease Guidelines for teachers, child care workers, local government authorities and medical practitioners
.
Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition, Department of HealthAustralian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition, Department of Health (external site)
Notifiable disease data and reports
Up-to-date Influenza notification data
General infectious disease reports
Further information
Influenza (flu) vaccine (Healthy WA)
Influenza (flu) vaccine – what pregnant women need to know (Healthy WA)
Produced by
Public Health
Related links
Influenza (Healthy WA)