Urgent warning issued over triple virus threat in Australia: ‘It’s never too late to get a vaccine’

There has been a sharp increase in cases of whooping cough, influenza and gastroenteritis, with young children being particularly hard hit by the wave of illnesses, putting ‘unprecedented’ pressure on some hospitals.

In northern Australia, where many holidaymakers come, the winter peak has not yet been reached, which is why a leading GP is advising everyone to get vaccinated against the flu.

So far in 2024, more than 170,000 cases of influenza have been diagnosed, 29 percent of which were in children under nine years of age.

The number of infections in 2024 is already 27 percent higher than in the first six months of 2023.

According to Michael Clements, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners Rural Practices, these figures do not give the full picture because many people are not getting tested.

He said the number of cases is likely to increase as the winter virus reaches warmer areas in August and September.

“We are certainly concerned that this issue will continue and potentially overwhelm hospital systems,” the Townsville GP told AAP.

His comments echo those of New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park, who reported “unprecedented” demand for emergency departments in his state due to a 30 percent rise in flu cases, coupled with fewer GPs working in the community.

Victoria’s Health Department is warning that flu vaccination rates across all age groups, including children, remain “low” despite a six-fold increase in emergency department visits due to flu from April to June.

According to Dr. Clements, COVID-19 infections may have lowered immunity to influenza and reduced herd immunity in the population.

He also mentioned increased international travel and people going to work sick. These two factors were greatly reduced during the Covid lockdowns. They are seen as factors that promote the spread of disease.

The number of cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, has already risen above pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, there were already more than 12,900 cases. That is four times the total number of infections in 2023.

More than 60 percent of cases were in children under 14. The New South Wales Health Service is warning of “unusually high” infections with whooping cough and pneumonia in schoolchildren.

It can be fatal for babies. According to Dr. Clements, many infants and adults with whooping cough have also tested positive for several other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or COVID-19.

“These are peaks, we certainly have to recognize that these are big increases compared to recent years,” he said.

“It’s hard to know how to interpret it, so whether we just interpret it as a return to normal behavior post-COVID or not.”

The winter cold is back with full force and doctors are worried about an ‘explosion’ of diseases

The number of cases of a particular gastroenteritis strain has already tripled compared to the total number of cases in 2023, to more than 11,700.

Cryptosporidiosis is spread by a parasite in some swimming pools. People with symptoms are advised to stay out of the water for at least four weeks, as they can still spread the virus. The virus can survive on chlorine.

Dr. Clements is concerned about what he describes as the “huge explosion” of preventable diseases, and says he has noticed fewer federal government campaigns encouraging people to get vaccinated.

“We can’t look into the crystal ball and say whether we’re at the peak now or whether there will be another peak,” he said.

“It’s never too late to get vaccinated.”