Queensland health experts issue alert for impending explosion of flurona cases

Queensland has recorded more cases of influenza in 2022 already than the whole of 2021, with eight more Covid-19 deaths and more than 7000 new cases today, as authorities warn a potentially deadly combination of the viruses is heading for a “significant wave”.

Queensland health experts have issued an alert for an impending “winter surge” of influenza and Covid-19 cases, as well as a combination of both, as temperatures drop.

Chief Health Dr John Gerrard said Queensland is likely to see a “significant wave” of influenza cases as well as “combined cases” – both influenza and Covid, throughout the winter months.

The state on Wednesday recorded 7668 new Covid cases and eight deaths, up from Tuesday’s 5207 cases and zero deaths, while Dr Gerrard confirmed 2022 has already seen more that double the number of flu cases than in the whole of 2021.

Authorities are also warning of a surge in cases of people being infected with both viruses, which clinical evidence suggests is more severe than any one virus alone, with many resulting in hospitalisation.

“In Queensland last year there were just 296 confirmed cases of influenza from the entire 2021 by comparison so far this year we have seen more than 800 cases of influenza in Queensland – most of those have been in the last month and for the past three weeks the number of influenza cases has doubled every week for the past three weeks.”

Dr Gerrard said the ecology of respiratory virus transmission around the world has been disrupted by the Covid pandemic.

But he said the combination of influenza and Covid seems to be “particularly severe”.

Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard. Picture: Liam Kidston

“There is clinical and laboratory evidence that infection with both viruses is more severe than any one virus alone – we have seen more than a dozen combined infections and a number of those people have been hospitalised.

“One of the most obvious impacts has been on influenza transmission – influenza transmission around the world has been greatly reduced in the last two years and as a result many of us have not been exposed to the virus as we normally would and our general immunity is likely to be significantly decreased.”

Dr Gerrard said as our pandemic measures have “relaxed” we are seeing “increasing” numbers of influenza.

He said 2022 is the year to get vaccinated against influenza because “general immunity is low.”

“The natural immunity that we build up year-to-year has waned, so it is important for Queenslanders to get vaccinated and help create a buffer against this severe and potentially fatal disease,” he said.

Dr Gerrard said hospitals are preparing for a “difficult winter.”

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We always knew this was going to happen, Queensland had to open up at some point and we knew that when it opened up, new viruses would be introduced,” he said.

Although we are at the beginning of the vaccination program Dr Gerrard urged Queenslanders to get their flu jab now.

“Given that we are seeing a doubling of cases every two weeks now is the time to go and get that vaccine – we are not sure what a vaccine epidemic looks like in the context of very low immunity.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the health system always prepares for a “winter surge”.

“There is no doubt this will put further pressure on our system but I am mostly concerned about the individuals who are going to contract Covid and the flu at the same time – we know that can be life threatening.

“We are constantly recruiting, every state is struggling with health work shortages at the moment – it is a national problem and we are embarking on a broader workforce strategy to attract and retain doctors, nurses and other health professional’s across the state – that work is ongoing.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said Queensland Health are expecting a “flu season” and 120 new paramedics will start this month “particularly to deal with the winter surge”.

“We have had very little influenza floating around in the community for the last two years due to the restrictions, good hygiene and mask wearing but also because of the border restrictions and very few international travellers,” she said.

But Ms D’Ath said there has “already” been more cases of influenza in 2022 than the whole of 2021.

“We are concerned because we know for that a fact that some people will get Covid and Influenza – this is of great risk.”

There are now 466 Covid-positive patients in hospital and 15 in ICU.