High rate of flu cases in Western Sydney expected to rise

WESTERN Sydney residents have been urged to get the flu vaccine with the region reporting the highest number of influenza cases in the state – and the worst is to come.

Western Sydney has the highest number of flu cases in NSW.

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WESTERN Sydney residents have been urged to get the flu vaccine with the region reporting the highest number of influenza cases in the state – and the worst is to come.

There were 261 cases in the week ending July 31 in western Sydney and the figure is expected to rise heading into peak flu season in late August.

Western Sydney Public Health Unit’s Dr Shopna Bag said it was not too late to get the flu shot.

“The flu season is expected to go on until the end of the month and into September before we hopefully see it reduce,” she said.

“It takes two weeks to get the full immunisation so it’s best to get it before the flu season but getting it now is better than not getting the vaccine.

“So we say get the vaccine now and make sure you get the flu vaccine next year.”

Dr Bag said building up a “natural immunity” to the flu instead of getting the vaccine was fraught with problems.

“Unfortunately the influenza virus is quite smart, it learns to adapt,” she said.

“So even if you get the same strain as you had last year it will have changed slightly.”

She said everyone should get the influenza vaccine because not only did it prevent people from getting the flu but it reduced their symptoms if they were unlucky enough to catch it.

Vulnerable groups, including pregnant women and people over 65, are eligible for a free flu jab.