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Influenza vaccine reminder
The Department of Health has recently received the following advice from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer regarding influenza vaccination for children.
Chief Health Officer
About the Chief Health Officer
The Victorian Government’s Chief Health Officer undertakes a variety of statutory functions under the Health and Food Acts, and is responsible for
- developing and implementing strategies to promote and protect public health
- providing advice to the Minister and the Secretary on matters relating to public health and wellbeing
- publishing a comprehensive report on public health and wellbeing in Victoria on a biennial basis.
The Chief Health Officer also acts as the Government’s media spokesperson on matters relating to the control of disease and promotion of health as required eg. communicable diseases, land/air/water contamination, radiation, food safety, ethics and public health emergencies.
The Chief Health Officer regularly advises Victorians on issues with the potential to impact their health and safety.
A Health Alert advises the Victorian community of an issue that requires immediate action or that poses an immediate threat to public health. For example, a medication recall posing a health risk or an outbreak of a communicable disease.
A Health Advisory provides advice about an issue which is occurring in another jurisdiction but is of interest to the Victorian public.
An information update may also be provided on any of the issues raised in an alert or advisory where the risk may have subsided but additional information is available.
Dr Rosemary Lester
Chief Health Officer
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000
Victoria, Australia
Current topics
Legionnaires' disease cluster - 22 March 2012
The Department of Health has recently identified a small cluster of cases of Legionnaires' disease, involving three individuals who all report exposures in the Broadmeadows area.
Safety Advisory issued by TGA relating to sibutramine - 8 March 2012
The TGA has put out a safety advisory about a counterfeit product Xiyouji Qingzhi Capsule containing sibutramine, an S4 substance withdrawn as a medicine in Australia in 2010 for safety reasons.
Rail transport spill: Heavy Mineral Concentrate - February 2012
The Department of Health has prepared the following information to address potential community health concerns about a Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) spill from rail wagons onto a section of the train line near Old Rupanyup Road, just north of Glenorchy in Western Victoria in late February 2012.
Heat health alert issued for Saturday - 25 February 2012
Temperatures are expected above heat health thresholds in Melbourne and the South West District of Victoria on Saturday, 25 February 2012.
Portland chemical leak - Community fact sheet
Following a chemical leak of coal tar pitch at Koppers Coal Tar Products in Portland, the department has prepared a Community fact sheet to address potential community health concerns relating to exposure.
Low Pathogenic Avian influenza (LPAI) - General fact sheet - 31 January 2012
A fact sheet on low pathogenic Avian Influenza has been developed to provide information on the difference between high and low pathogenic Avian Influenza and general prevention measures.
Health warning on salad sprouts containing bacteria E coli - 23 January 2012
Two commonly used types of salad sprouts have tested positive to high levels of bacteria E. coli in Victoria.
Health warning on poisonous mushrooms - 6 January 2012
Extreme caution is advised when picking and consuming wild mushrooms following the deaths of two people who consumed Death Cap mushrooms.
Health warning on mosquitoes - 29 December 2011
Residents and visitors along the Murray River in northern Victoria are being warned to protect themselves against mosquitoes following the detection of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVE) in New South Wales.
Chief Health Officer Advisory on egg safety
Advice on egg safety to hospitals, residential aged care services and children's services. Over the past five years, the incidence of Salmonella infection in Victoria has increased.
Health Alert for General Practitioners - M. ulcerans (Bairnsdale/Buruli ulcer) - 1 September 2011
Protection against insect bites and early diagnosis and treatment of bites or skin lesions that are slow to heal is advised following an increase in notifications of M.ulcerans (Bairnsdale/Buruli ulcer).
Lead poisoning from imported Ayurvedic medicine
The department has been notified of three cases of elevated blood lead levels due to patients taking traditional Ayurvedic medications imported from India. High blood lead levels can cause lead poisoning and can affect health.
Vaccine cold chain management strategies for a power outage
The Department of Health has prepared vaccine cold chain management strategies for a power outage.
Think egg safety over summer - buy clean, keep cool and cook well - December 2010
The correct selection, safe storage and proper cooking of eggs can help avoid illness from harmful bacteria. More information for consumers, retailers and local government is available on the 'Eggs Need TLC' website.
