Recent News

Over 2000 Australians are expected to participate in Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, scheduled between 4 – 9 June 2025.

Key points: 1. Queensland has seen a recent increase in a multi-drug resistant (MDR) strain of Shigella sonnei infection among cases of gastroenteritis, particularly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM). 2. The strain is typically resistant to ampicillin/amoxicillin, third generation cephalosporins (including ceftriaxone), cotrimoxazole, macrolides (azithromycin) and quinolones (ciprofloxacin/norfloxacin). 3. Clinicians should be alert to at risk patients who present with acute gastrointestinal symptoms and arrange appropriate testing including culture and sensitivities. 4. Please seek further advice from an infectious diseases physician if required.

Queensland Health have received advice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that there are shortages of multiple azithromycin medicines – some are unavailable due to manufacturing issues, with other brands consequently experiencing increased demand leading to cascading shortages.

Measles outbreaks are occuring in a number of overseas countries, with cases notified in travellers to Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, and now in Queensland.

Is there a community project aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing that you're invloved with? Applications close 5pm Monday, 21 April 2025

Expressions of Interest Now Open!

Clinician Alert from the Communicable Disease Branch - Queensland Public Health and Scientific Services (QPHaSS).

NEW TARGETED SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE LAUNCHES IN WESTERN QLD FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK

Get Ready Queensland is providing information to Queenslanders potentially in the path of Cyclone Alfred.

FIRST NATIONS HEALTH WORKFORCE SET TO WELCOME NEW NURSES TRAINED LOCALLY IN OUTBACK RECRUITMENT DRIVE

Come join for a day filled with activities, information sessions, and exhibits. The expo aims to showcase the range of care and support services available in aged care, disability, health, social, emotional, legal, financial and physical wellbeing in the Central West.

Queensland Health have released the Heatwave Management Sub-plan | Sub-plan of the QHDISPLAN

The Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) is delighted to announce the appointment of two new board directors, Rob Margetts and Catrina Felton-Busch. We also extend our congratulations to Sheryl Lawton on her re-appointment and bid farewell to Jason Warnock, whose contributions since the inception of WQPHN in 2018 have been invaluable.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has made a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) to help manage the discontinuation of Protaphane InnoLet (insulin isophane human).

Key points: 1. A case of locally acquired dengue has been identified in a Gold Coast resident who had travelled to Gladstone, Rockhampton and Cairns during their exposure period. Investigations are ongoing. 2. Cases of locally acquired dengue do occur sporadically in central and north Queensland. 3. Dengue also continues to be identified in returning overseas travellers, particularly from Indonesia. 4. Clinicians should be alert for signs and symptoms of dengue and organise testing, particularly in patients who have travelled to dengue endemic areas. 5. Mosquito numbers tend to increase at this time of year, particularly following heavy rainfall, increasing risk of all mosquito-borne diseases.

Key points: 1. Pertussis notifications in Queensland are continuing to increase, particularly in children aged 5-14 years (54% of all cases since 1 January 2024). 2. In Queensland, the rates of pertussis in 2024 are the highest ever recorded. 3. A significant increase in pertussis cases is being seen nationally, with highest number of cases in New South Wales and Queensland. 4. Clinicians should be alert for signs and symptoms of pertussis. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of transmission. 5. Babies who are too young to be vaccinated and unvaccinated infants and children are most at risk of severe disease. There have been 115 notifications in Queensland year-to-date in children under 6 months (1% of all cases). 6. Vaccination is the best prevention. Immunity wanes over time and boosters are required.

As mpox numbers increase, The Communicable Diseases Branch | Queensland Health will be issuing weekly updates published at the following link weekly until further notice.

Health Workforce Survey and Competition is now open!

WQPHN extends its heartfelt gratitude to Board Director Dallas Leon for his commitment and service to the Western Queensland region.

Mount Isa and surrounds - Community Consultation sessions to begin 2 September 2024