Deadly flu claims lives as virus hits Victoria early

Three children are among at least 26 Victorians killed by the flu this year and the state’s chief health officer warns the shocking death toll is just a small representation of the total number likely killed by the virus.

Three children are among at least 26 Victorians killed by the flu this year as the state suffers a fivefold increase in confirmed cases.

There have been 10,683 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu this year, compared to about 2200 at the same time last year.

“Respiratory outbreaks” have killed 23 people in nursing and aged care homes.

Three children, aged three, six and 11, have also died.

Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Angie Bone told 3AW the shocking death toll was just a “small representation” of the total number of Victorians likely killed by the flu.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said overseas travel, particularly to the northern hemisphere, was spreading communicable diseases like the flu and measles. Picture: Tony Gough

She said flu season had started early this year, with no deaths at the same time last year and just one in 2017.

“Flu that causes death in children is unusual but it does happen every year,” she said.

“The reason for this is that sometimes our immune systems react to the flu virus and we get something that is called a cytokine storm.

“I can’t say that is what definitely happened in these instances but often when healthy people die from the flu, it is not actually the flu itself that is causing the problem.

“It is the way their body is reacting physiologically.”

It is understood that a cytokine storm is a hyperactive immune response that causes cell damage, and can result in death.

Victoria had a “mild” flu season last year after a deadly and dangerous bout in 2017.

Health authorities are unable to predict whether this year’s outbreak will end up worse than in previous years, or whether it will be a “long and flat” season that started early.

A record two million flu vaccinations have been ordered to help Victoria cope with the flu season.

A record two million flu vaccinations have been ordered to help Victoria cope with the flu season.

Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said overseas travel, particularly to the northern hemisphere, was spreading communicable diseases like the flu and measles.

She said parents should “heed the message” to get their children vaccinated as early as possible, with free flu shots for those aged under 5.

“We have had no reports of flu vaccine shortages,” she said.

“We have worked incredibly hard with all of our primary care providers and suppliers to make sure that we don’t experience these shortages.

“We have planned for this because of the very big flu season that we had in 2017 and we don’t want to see a repeat of that.

“It’s important that we all do our bit — and the most significant thing that you can do is go and get your flu shot.”

Victorians are also being encouraged to stay at home when sick, wash their hands and wear a mask is suffering from the flu.

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Premier Daniel Andrews said health resources had been bolstered to deal with an influx of flu sufferers.

“We had a very challenging summer flu that put a lot of pressure on our emergency departments and our health system,” he said.

“We are confident, though, with the additional resources that we’ve put in place that we will be able to deal with flu this winter.”

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