An Australian state is heading for its worst flu season in seven years, with thousands of residents already in hospital.
Queensland has recorded around 4,000 hospital admissions for flu so far this year, according to the latest health data.
A total of 42,626 cases have been reported, with 5,674 people diagnosed in the last week.
As of Saturday, 346 people with influenza A were hospitalized, including 28 children under five years of age and 181 patients aged 65 or older.
Hospital admissions have already surpassed the figures for the entire year of 2019, which was considered one of the worst flu seasons in the state.
The worst year on record was 2017, with 6,079 patients requiring hospital care.
Chief Medical Officer Catherine McDougall has warned that the peak of flu hospitalisations in Queensland is still weeks away.
“One in four people who get tested for flu are positive, which is a sign that there is a lot of virus in the community,” Dr. McDougall said.
Queensland has recorded around 4,000 hospital admissions for flu so far this year, according to the latest health data.
‘This year’s figures show that this is the worst flu season we’ve had since 2019… 14 per cent of all the cases we’ve had so far this year occurred in the past week.
“This is very likely to continue to spread and we are seeing a peak towards the end of August.”
Dr McDougall added that cases were highest among children, with “almost as many under-fives diagnosed with flu as those over 65”.
“This is not just a disease that affects our elderly population, but the entire community,” he said.
The state government is set to spend millions of dollars on hospital beds and resources to help ease the strain on hospitals caused by the surge in flu cases.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman is expected to announce an $88.6 million funding boost for the state’s public hospitals on Monday.
The funding will help improve hospital capacity by increasing resources, including more nurses, more hospital beds and streamlining patient flow in the emergency department.
Non-critical patients will be diverted from the emergency department to minor illness and injury clinics in Caloundra and on the Gold Coast.
Clinics will also see extended opening hours to accommodate the influx of patients, with the Coloundra clinic remaining open until 10pm and the Gold Coast clinic open 24 hours a day.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the dramatic influx of patients was putting additional pressure on the state’s already overstretched health system.
She added that the number of young children hospitalised was “obviously very concerning” and urged Queenslanders to get their flu vaccine.
“It is absolutely critical that everyone who can get vaccinated against flu, to help protect the most vulnerable people in our community,” Miles said.
“That’s why we’ve made the flu vaccine free, so cost isn’t a barrier to staying safe and healthy.”
The state is heading into its worst flu season in seven years, and experts are urging residents to get their free flu shot, which is available at pharmacies, through a GP and at the annual agricultural fair in Ekka (pictured).
Ms Fentiman also echoed Mr Miles’ call for parents to get vaccinated and their children vaccinated.
“We plan for busy periods like this every year, but what we’re seeing this year is extraordinary demand,” he said.
‘No one wants to see their child or loved one hospitalized, and we know that vaccination makes a big difference when it comes to the risk of being hospitalized with the flu.
‘This doubling of hospitalisations is worrying for our youngest Queenslanders and I am calling on parents across the state to get themselves and their children vaccinated.
‘If you haven’t yet gotten your free flu shot, please do so.’
Queensland is the only state in Australia that offers its residents free flu vaccinations.
The vaccine is available in pharmacies or through a general practitioner and will also be distributed at the annual agricultural exhibition in Ekka which runs until 18 August.