Australians are urged to stay home if they feel unwell as flu cases rise across the country.
Victoria’s hospitals have been placed on high alert due to a rise in flu cases.
Flu cases have increased 28 per cent in Victoria over the past two weeks, with experts warning that more variants and low vaccination rates are to blame for the high numbers.
New South Wales has also seen a 33 per cent increase in severe cases, according to the latest New South Wales Respiratory Health Surveillance Report.
Australians suffering from a cold will know within 24 hours whether it is flu, Covid, a common cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses, thanks to a new Australian test. The results of the pathology test will allow people to act quickly to purchase antiviral medications that could shorten the duration and severity of the flu or Covid.
Epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman points to fatigue with Covid-era rules as a key reason for the high number of cases.
“Fewer and fewer people are protecting themselves with masks and washing their hands, and because of that, people are more exposed to the flu than they were this time last year,” he told 7NEWS.
Australians suffering from a cold will know within 24 hours whether it is flu, Covid, a common cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses, thanks to a new Australian test.
‘The second reason is that the flu season has started a little early in the northern hemisphere. The current strain of influenza circulating now is identical to that seen last winter in the northern hemisphere.
“And of course we’re seeing more and more people traveling internationally, so they’re bringing that tension back.”
Dr. Max Mollenkopf has urged people to stay home if they are not feeling well.
‘When you are sick, stay home, the office doesn’t need you as much. We can just help everyone stay well,” he told the Project.
He also encouraged Australians to get vaccinated against COVID and influenza.
He said it was important for children to get vaccinated too.
“A lot of younger kids are eligible for free flu shots and they’re really the ones bringing it in from daycare and school and they’re the ones spreading it throughout the community.”
Ahead of winter, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Clare Looker encouraged residents to get a flu vaccine to help protect against influenza.
“The flu can be deadly, getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones,” said Dr. Looker.
The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months of age and older and is free for those considered at higher risk thanks to the National Vaccination Program.
“The flu virus changes throughout the year, so new vaccines are developed for each season, so it’s vitally important to stay up to date with your vaccines.”
The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months or older and is free for those considered at higher risk thanks to the National Immunization Programme.
Children aged six months to under five years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, people aged 65 years and over and people with medical conditions are considered to be at risk.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of influenza deaths in March 2024 is 59, with 20 of those deaths in New South Wales, 12 in Victoria and 16 in Queensland.