Australians have been warned to ‘stay at home’ as flu cases rise across the country
Australians are being urged to stay home if they are feeling unwell as flu cases rise across the country.
Hospitals in Victoria are on high alert due to a surge in flu cases.
Flu cases have risen 28 per cent in Victoria in the past two weeks, with experts warning more variants and low vaccination rates are behind the high numbers.
New South Wales has also seen a 33 per cent spike in serious cases, according to the latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report.
Australians who sniff will know within 24 hours whether it is flu, Covid, a cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses, thanks to a new Aussie test. The results of the pathology test will allow people to act quickly and purchase antiviral drugs that can shorten the duration and severity of the flu or Covid.
Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman points to fatigue over Covid-era rules as a key reason for the high case numbers.
“Fewer and fewer people are protecting themselves with face masks and hand washing and that means people are being exposed to more flu than this time last year,” he told 7NEWS.
Australians who sniff will know within 24 hours whether it’s flu, Covid, a cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses thanks to a new Aussie test
‘The second reason is that the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere started a bit early. The current strain of flu now circulating is identical to the one seen in the Northern Hemisphere last winter.
“And of course we’re seeing more and more people traveling internationally, so they’re bringing back that excitement.”
Dr. Max Mollenkopf has urged people to stay at home if they feel unwell.
‘If you are sick, just stay at home, the office doesn’t need you that much. We can just help everyone stay healthy,” he told the Project.
He also encouraged Australians to get vaccinated against COVID and flu.
He said it is important that children also get vaccinated.
“So many younger children qualify for free flu vaccines and in reality they are the ones bringing it from daycare and school and they are the ones spreading it throughout the community.”
Ahead of winter, Victorian Chief Health Officer Clare Looker encouraged residents to get their flu shots to protect themselves against flu.
“The flu can be deadly – getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Dr Looker said.
Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged six months and over, and are free for those at higher risk thanks to the National Vaccination Program
‘The flu virus changes throughout the year, so new vaccines are developed for each season. That’s why it’s critical to stay up to date on your vaccinations.”
Vaccinations against flu are recommended for everyone aged six months and over, and are free for those deemed to be at higher risk thanks to the National Vaccination Programme.
Those considered at risk include children aged six months to five years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and over, people aged 65 and over, and people with medical conditions.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), as of March 2024, the number of deaths from influenza is 59, with 20 in NSW, 12 in Victoria and 16 in Queensland.