Australia recording weekly flu deaths before peak winter season

Australians are dying on a weekly basis from the flu, as experts advise the population on the importance of getting vaccinated.

AUSTRALIANS are dying on a weekly basis from the flu, as experts advise the population to get vaccinated.

NSW-based virologist Bill Rawlinson predicted Australia could see “a couple of million” cases of the flu this year – about eight per cent of the population.

Professor Rawlinson said he was worried this year may be a worse flu year than 2017 in Australia, with laboratory proven cases running at about three times the five-year average for this time of the year.

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Asked about how many influenza deaths had occurred in Australia during 2019, he said: “Certainly, we’re seeing them on a weekly basis”.

Infectious disease specialist Robert Booy, of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, said mathematical modelling showed that about 3000 to 4000 Australians, on average, died annually from the flu.

Infectious disease specialist Professor Robert Booy says mathematical modelling shows about 3000 to 4000 Australians die annually from the flu, on average.

“In a very busy season, it will be more than that,” he said.

Federal health figures show more than 9800 Queenslanders have tested positive to the flu so far this year compared with 15692 for the whole of 2018.

But the actual number of cases will be much higher than that, given not all people will undergo testing.

Queensland Health data shows 775 people in the state have been admitted to the state’s public hospitals as a result of the flu this year, including 68 requiring intensive care.

Professor Rawlinson said strains included in this year’s flu vaccine were similar to those circulating in the community, suggesting it should provide a high level of protection against catching the virus.