Cases of baby flu in Victoria 1300 per cent higher than last year

More than 400 babies have been infected with the flu in Victoria this year, compared to 29 for the same time last year.

More than 400 babies under 12 months old have been infected with the flu in Victoria this year during a “difficult winter” and earlier season.

There have been 416 reported cases of influenza in babies aged under one in comparison to just 29 for the same time last year, Vic health department figures reveal.

This equates to an increase in cases of more than 1300 per cent.

“This is a difficult winter. There’s a heightened risk of the flu,” Labor MP Jacinta Allan told reporters today.

“The flu season started earlier and it is predicted to go for longer and the best approach we can all take on this, where you can be, people are vaccinated.”

The government has also ordered more flu vaccines, she added. But opposition spokesman David Davis said the data showed the impact on the government’s tardiness to get enough vaccines for those who need them.

Six more flu deaths bring NSW total to 79

Frightening stats behind WA flu season

Extra doctors fly in to combat horror flu season

“The state government has been very slow in its response on the flu this year. There was a major break before those flu vaccines were needed before everyone needed them. That slowness is part of the impact,” he said.

“The ability of the government to get these vaccines out and to make sure that everybody who needs them has got them was compromised early on.”

The new figures come weeks after a 13-year-old girl died at home from flu-like symptoms.

Crystal-Lee Wightley was laughing and playing with family members only days before falling ill.

So far in 2019, the flu has claimed the lives of more than 50 Victorians.

More than 400 babies in Victoria have been infected with the flu in Victoria so far this year. Picture: iStock

PEAK FLU SEASON IN NSW

Meanwhile NSW health says the total number of flu cases in the state has risen to 47,822.

Health authorities say the data suggests the state may have reached its peak of the flu season.

NSW Health’s director of communicable disease Dr Vicky Sheppeard said cases among children and younger adults were still on the rise there too.

“More than 20 children under five years of age were admitted to hospital with influenza-like illness in the past week,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“The flu is still about, so I urge parents not to send their children back to school if they are ill and to follow simple hygiene precautions.”

SA’s deadly flu season claims more lives

Children at high risk as flu kills 51

Shocking toll of flu deaths in Qld so far this year

SA CASES FALLING

In South Australia flu cases have continued to fall.

Earlier this week SA Health said there had been a staggering 20,472 confirmed cases of the virus this year compared with 1579 at the same time last year.

In SA there have been 92 confirmed influenza-related deaths — one in January, three in March, 19 in April, 56 in May, 10 in June and three in July.

It’s been so bad in Queensland residents have dubbed it ‘Flunami’. Picture: iStock

‘FLUNAMI’ HITS QLD

Queensland dubbed this year’s epidemic ‘flunami’, confirming the state has seen more than 25,000 cases.

That’s five times the five-year average.

If the trajectory continues, 2019 will top the record 2017 year for Queensland flu diagnoses of 56,591.