Barraba invited to pandemic H1N1 (swine) Influenza information session

16 March 2010

Cases of pandemic H1N1 (swine) Influenza are expected to peak again this winter, and it’s important that we know how to protect ourselves against the debilitating and life-threatening infection.

Hunter New England Population Health’s Peter Massey will hold an information session on Influenza on 31 March at Barraba Multi Purpose Service (MPS) at 2pm.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Barraba to speak about pandemic influenza and how the community can protect itself this winter,” Mr Massey said.

“This strain of flu is particularly dangerous in certain groups who are more vulnerable to influenza than others, including people who have chronic medical conditions such as chronic kidney, liver, heart or lung conditions (including asthma), people with diabetes, Aboriginal people, pregnant women, people who are very overweight and people living in isolated communities.

“Many people still believe that the pandemic H1N1 Influenza doesn’t pose a significant threat to our health, but we need to remember that since the strain was introduced to Australia 1430 people have been admitted to NSW hospitals with the condition, and 54 people have died in NSW from the condition and this has now become the dominant seasonal H1N1 influenza strain around the world.

“This information session will give members of the public a chance to ask some questions about things they’ve heard about the ‘flu and vaccination, and hopefully dispel some myths about H1N1 Influenza.”

The Barraba Local Health Advisory Committee (LHAC) chairperson Bronwyn Clinch said the LHAC invited Mr Massey to speak to Barraba residents because it wants the community to be protected from the influenza this winter.

“We have been told by our Barraba doctors that we should expect to see another peak in H1N1 Influenza this year, so we felt it was a good idea to invite Mr Massey to hold a public information session,” Ms Clinch said.

“We believe our community may not be aware how serious a case of H1N1 Influenza can be, so we at least want to educate the community as best we can about the infection so they can make an informed choice about vaccination.”

Barraba residents are urged to RSVP for the event by calling (02)6782 2500.

Contact: Emma Gibbs

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767