Warning for kids as virus re-emerges after two years

The first major appearance of the flu in two years is expected to have a significant effect on one particular group, according to experts.

Experts are warning more kids are likely to be exposed to flu this season as Australia braces for a nationwide triple threat that also includes colds and Covid cases.

Professor Ian Barr, Deputy director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, told 3AW on Monday it’s the first major appearance of the flu in two years that have otherwise been dominated by the coronavirus.

“(The resurgence) is likely to affect a lot more kids, that’s for sure, whether it’s any worse or not remains to be seen.

“Certainly been a big upswing of influenza in Melbourne and the east coast of Australia over the past six weeks.

The children fell ill after attending the party in Melbourne. Stock image. Picture: iStock

“There’s a difference between this flu and other flus — in young children these symptoms will persist, you’ll have fever, cough, muscle soreness and fatigue.”

It comes as Australia is bracing for a nationwide triple threat this winter with health experts warning residents of a surge in flu, cold and Covid cases.

A new report released this month revealed Australia has recorded almost 3000 influenza cases so far this year – it’s highest number of reports since 2019.

The 2022 influenza report card highlighted the country’s low influenza vaccination rate, representing only 11 per cent of the population.

Infectious disease expert Robert Booy told NCA NewsWire that both influenza and Covid were highly contagious viral infections that could lead to serious illness, hospitalisation or even death.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ahead of a mammoth flu season. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Professor Booy said community immunity was low following the pandemic, with each influenza season differing in impact.

“We expect that with global travel resuming, influenza strains will also travel and infection rates will rise, so we’re going to get a surge this year,” he said.

“Our community is not used to dealing with flu virus, so their level of immunity has dropped.”