Influenza: Alarming flu case and hospital spike sparks new jab warnings amid fears of fresh hospital pressures

A sharp spike of flu cases and a rise in the number of seriously ill influenza patients in hospital has sparked a fresh warning for South Australians to get vaccinated.

A sharp new spike of flu cases and a rise in the number of seriously ill influenza patients in hospital has sparked a fresh warning for South Australians to get vaccinated.

SA Health data showed a surge of 673 cases in the past week, with 1868 influenza cases recorded this year. Despite that, more than two thirds of the population has so far failed to get a flu jab.

The state’s hospitals have treated 69 more flu patients since last week, a 54 per cent rise, to 195 cases in total this year.

In comparison, there were 12 cases by June 1 in 2021 and 40 influenza infections overall last year.

Amid warnings that children, teenagers and young adults are at particular risk, the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) reports the average age of people with flu this year is 19.

Cases ranged from babies less than a year old to an elderly patient aged 101. Pregnant woman are also a focus, a CDCB memo sent to the state’s medicos warns.

Latest data shows 38 “flurona” people have reported being co-infected with Covid-19, discovered through a PCR lab test only, and influenza.

No flu-related deaths have been reported. All but three of this year’s cases are more serious type-A over the milder B strain.

Authorities fear there will be new pressures on hospitals caused by backlog from the past two years of delayed treatments, Covid-19, influenza and staff absences.

Doctors have warned that young children in particular are at risk from influenza.

Days after announcing universal free flu jabs, Health Minister Chris Picton warned system pressures showed that more capacity was needed across the system.

“This is a concern as our hospitals and hardworking staff manage both Covid and flu cases, and normal winter demand,” he said.

“It’s concerning there are so many cases in children and that’s why protecting them is so necessary.”

Doctors and public health chiefs fear SA faces a “perfect storm” of Covid-19 and flu this winter as influenza numbers soar for the first time in three years after Corona precautions were eased.

The population’s natural immunity has also lowered due to closed borders which largely kept flu out of Australia during the pandemic.

Dr Louise Flood, head of SA Health Communicable Disease Control Branch. Picture Matt Turner

SA Health Minister Chris Picton. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

CDCB director, Dr Louise Flood, said it was important to practise good hygiene and stay at home if you are unwell.

“Now winter is here and we are seeing influenza in the community I encourage all South Australians to get vaccinated to avoid getting sick, and possibly needing to a stay in hospital for treatment,” she said.

“We strongly encourage parents of young children in particular to get their child vaccinated, because toddlers can become very sick from the flu and their immunity will be low, as most have had no exposure to influenza and vaccination rates are low.”

Latest data shows 32 per cent of people have had flu shot – almost 63,000 people had a jab in the past week.

Two thirds of adults over 65 are protected but only 13 per cent of children aged under five have had a flu vaccination, SA Health data shows.

Mr Picton said everyone needed to “do their bit”.

“So take advantage of the free flu shot being offered to South Australians by the government this month,” he said.

“You can protect yourself and your loved ones – and stay out of hospital this winter.”

The Opposition has called for Covid jab hubs to be used for flu vaccines as well. But the government has said facilities were not the issue, as flu jabs had already been distributed through GPs and pharmacies.