Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit
114 COVID-19 outbreaks managed
3823 vaccinations
54 Risk assessments in residential aged care
While large scale and targeted outreach, State-funded testing and vaccination services have now been scaled down across the state, LMPHU staff continue to provide specialist advice and support for the management of significant outbreaks in residential aged care and other high-risk settings. This last quarter has seen scores of outbreaks as a consequence of new viral variants and waning immunity for many people living in our region. It is imperative that we continue to promote COVIDsafe behaviours and, most importantly, vaccination as our best line of defence to stop the spread, protect the health system and save lives. Almost of third of the highest risk over 65 year old age group in the Loddon-Mallee are not up to date with their jabs, and promoting uptake through GPs and pharmacies, particularly for the most vulnerable, is critical to continuing our world-class successes in managing the pandemic to date. A particular challenge for our region is, of course, mosquito-borne disease. The existing impact of endemic diseases such as Ross River and Barmah Forest viruses is only likely to grow with climate change, as already witnesses in a case of JEV and
finding of Murray Valley virus in mosquitos in our region this season. Local governments continue to lead the charge on surveillance and control of mosquito populations, and the LMPHU has been working closely with our councils and the Department of Health to promote the prevention message and to coordinate and deliver several thousands of JEV vaccine to individuals at high risk of infection. Engaging with priority community during the floods has been critical, and the LMPHU have been working together with the Department of Health and community-based organisations such as Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council to help create and translate public health messages and resources into language that is accessible for all those living and working in our region. It was wonderful to have some of the partnership work the LMPHU has helped supported be recognised at the Victorian Healthcare Awards, with Sunraysia District Health and partners recognised for incredible work targeting vaccination services to vulnerable communities in Mildura during the 2022 community lock down.
Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through organized efforts of society. Recent flooding also serves as a timely reminder of the implications of climate change. There is a rapidly growing demand for place-based work to address climate change’s health and social impacts. The Loddon Mallee Public Health Unit (LMPHU), together with local, regional and state cross-sector organisations, are developing the building climate change resilient service systems and communities framework to assist health and community
organisations in the Loddon Mallee to identify and reduce the impact of climate change on the health and wellbeing of our community. The LMPHU prevention and population health team, who are working through the final steps in the formation of a sub-regional approach to prevention and population health. We’re excited to finalise the governance arrangements for the Loddon, Murray, and Mallee subregions in the coming months. The LMPHU continues to support services and communities in the region to promote protective behaviours and respond to significant outbreaks.
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