Covid-19 is set to have an impact on this year’s flu season

With the season changing, concerns are already being raised about the combination of two potentially deadly viruses circulating Queensland communities at the same time. An expert in diseases and public health explains the best way to stay safe.

For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the disease will be flowing freely, untraced, in communities and cities across Queensland.

And in the coming months, Queensland’s annual flu season will be back in full swing.

Dr William Mude, a lecturer in public health at CQU with a history of researching disease, says there are several weak spots that could become apparent as Covid-19 and influenza coexist, competing for the same hosts.

“It is possible we will see more cases of flu-like symptoms this upcoming flu season,” he said.

“I am concerned about a possible complacency in testing for Covid-19 and the implications this will have for people getting tested when they have flu-like symptoms during a flu season.

CQU public health and disease expert Dr William Mude.

This can lead to the spread of either Covid or flu in the community.”

Dr Mude said elderly people in aged care would be particularly at risk and recommended vaccination as a precaution.

In some populations where Covid-19 is present, cases of influenza can appear to drop, but unless testing is adequate across both diseases, it’s sometimes harder to know if it’s a reflection of better public health measures or less of a focus on flu checks.

“Evidence from North America shows a decline in flu cases during the last winter, but this was because few people got tested for flu during Covid,” Dr Mude said.

“To avert this, I think people need to get tested if they experience any flu-like symptoms during this flu season because of the similarities in symptoms between flu and Covid-19 omicron-variant.

“I don’t think the relaxing of public health measures for Covid and the low testing rates will lead to less cases of Covid.

“If any, it will lead to the increase in cases, albeit untested.

“The only reason we are seeing few cases of Covid now in the community is because of low testing rates.

“This complacency will also have a flow-on effect on seeking medical attention and testing for flu during the flu season, leading to increased cases in the community.”

Mr Mude said he was concerned about complacency around vaccines.

“Given the reluctance people have in taking up vaccines for Covid, I am afraid that this will have a knock-on effect in people taking up flu vaccinations as well,” he said.

“These are all recipes for possibly experiencing high cases of flu during the upcoming season. I worry for the elderly people in the community, especially those living in residential aged care, if they are not vaccinated for flu.”

Prevention is important to avoid becoming ‘patient zero’, says Dr Mude.

Staying safe

Listening to government advice, according to Dr Mude, is still one of the most important steps people can take when battling a pandemic.

Testing is equally important.

“When people experience a flu, they need to need to get tested to be sure that they flu symptoms are not as a result of Covid or influenza A or B,” he said.

“That way, they can protect their families, loved ones and the members of general public. The best way people can protect against both flu and Covid-19 is to get tested and vaccinated.

“It is vital for everyone to do everything within their means to ensure that they are not patient zero in their family and community.”

Other measures against the illnesses are simply tried and true.

“People can help reduce the spread of flu or Covid by washing their hands thoroughly, coughing into their elbows, or taking a day off work or school if unwell,” Dr Maud said.

Public safety and social distancing measures still matter. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Precautions are still necessary because we’re not out of the woods yet

“While I understand the fatigue of mask wearing and social distancing, as a community we must always be on the lookout for how we can slow the spread of Covid,” Dr Mude said.

“The same vigilance also needs to be afforded to flu during the upcoming flu season.

“We owe our freedom to our individual efforts in averting another wave of Covid in our community.”

Dr Mude said if anyone was unfortunate enough to have both influenza and Covid-19 together, the effects could be disastrous.

“In epidemiology, if a person experience two or more diseases, we say they are comorbid,” he said.

“While each disease may be affecting individual in different ways, each of them require our white blood cells to fight them.

“Depending on other factors, it is possible that someone who has both Covid-19 and flu might experience a severe infection if not vaccinated.

“Like wolves, diseases hunt in packs.”

Elderly people living in aged care are at the most risk, according to experts.

Queensland Health: ‘Very likely’ both diseases will circulate over winter months

A Queensland Health spokesperson said every year, Queenslanders were encouraged to take steps to protect themselves and others from flu to help stop the spread.

“Restrictions and good hygiene practices in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have undoubtedly contributed to the significantly lower number of flu cases over the past two years,” they said.

“However, we should not become complacent as, just like Covid-19, the flu can be fatal.”

According to Queensland Health, it is “very likely both Covid-19 and the flu will circulate over the winter months”.

“Vaccination against both viruses continues to be the best prevention, as well as keeping up good hand hygiene practices and staying home if you have any symptoms.”