Flu season has arrived and a concerning number of Australians are being hit by the virus with almost double the number of people contracting influenza compared to this time last year.
More than 5000 cases of the H3N2 and Type B strains have already been diagnosed across Australia[1] with experts warning there is worse to come and this is only the tip of the iceberg as thousands more cases go undiagnosed.
Queensland is the worst affected state with 2536 diagnosed cases, while New South Wales is next with 2391. Hospital admissions for flu-like illnesses are steadily rising and emergency department visits are higher in most states than at this time last year.
Children under nine years have been the hardest hit and there has also been a rise in the number of elderly people and those aged 35 – 44 years who are contracting the virus.
[1] Department of Health and Ageing 2012 data.
Last Updated (Tuesday, 10 July 2012 23:12)
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