TRANSCRIPT:
Grandmother Cheryl Flanders is still recovering from a debilitating case of the flu.
The Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti and Bundjalung woman says she lived with the virus for three weeks.
"I couldn't move. Every bone, every joint in my body was aching. I really suffered. That's why I was going back and forward to the doctors trying to get some relief from the pain."
Ms Flanders says she's now lost hearing in her right ear.
She suspects she contracted the virus from one of her three grandchildren, who are all living in the same home.
"He's 21. He was out with his mates and probably got it at the party he was in, and brought it back home."
At the town's Community Controlled Health Service, staff have seen a significant spike in people presenting with flu-like symptoms.
The state government's Director for Tropical Public Health Services Dr Richard Gair says at the peak of the outbreak, the Yarrabah Emergency was seeing approximately 25 additional patients per day, many of whom were likely to have been flu cases.
Suzanne Andrews is the Gurriny Yealamucka Health Service Chief Executive.
"Every year, this time of year around flu time, we do have a high uptake of mob getting the flu. We're asking people now that we have vaccines, come and get vaccinated so you can fight flu like symptoms. It's a big social issue particularly in Yarrabah where there is overcrowding that does make you more susceptible to getting the flu."
It's put a renewed focus on housing.
While Yarrabah's population according to the census is just over 2,500, health authorities estimate that figure is closer to 4,500.
Community leaders like Father Leslie Baird from St Albans Anglican Church say it's not uncommon for multiple families to live in one dwelling.
"If any outbreaks happen in the community, then the whole community is at a higher risk than what Cairns or Gordon Vale or any other place would be, because of the housing problems we have here. We have a need for at least 300 new homes, there's only 400 homes for a community of 4,000 people."
Queensland's Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon says homes are under construction in Yarrabah and there are more on the way.
But Father Baird says overcrowding has been an issue in Yarrabah for years.
"If the housing problem is not fully addressed, then we will always be at higher risk than any other place in Australia. The government needs to begin to listen because we have the Yarrabah leaders forum which is our voice for the community which speaks to state and federal government."
For now, health workers are busy with a flu and COVID vaccination drive.
Health authorities in Yarrabah say their experience during the pandemic was that getting out into the community was the best way to promote vaccination.
Immunisation nurse Sharyn Laird says that was the most effective method at the time.
"So we can get them in places of business, we can get them within their community lifestyle, which has had a better uptake than having people trying to schedule appointments that suit them and the clinics as well so we're just here."
Cheryl Flanders reiterating this important message for her community.
"Get the flu vax. If you can get it, get it. Otherwise don't suffer like I did."
