More than 3400 children aged 10-19 test positive for influenza in one week, NSW Health data reveals

Who is being hit the hardest amid an alarming surge of flu cases in one state has been revealed in new figures.

Flu cases are surging across NSW, with new data revealing children are being hit the hardest.

More than 3400 children aged between 10 and 19 tested positive for influenza in the week ending June 29.

The NSW Health data also found 3255 children aged five to nine and 2389 children up to four years old had tested positive for influenza in the week ending June 29, while a staggering 14,537 children aged between 10 and 19 have tested positive for the flu so far this year.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the rise in influenza cases was contributing to increased pressure on emergency departments.

“Our emergency departments are under unprecedented demand … we’re seeing about a 30 per cent increase in influenza cases,” he said.

“We are starting to track towards the peak of influenza across the system.

“We’re probably about a week or so away from that, but that is putting unprecedented demand on our emergency departments.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the rise in influenza was contributing to pressure on emergency departments. Picture:NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

He urged Australians to get vaccinated. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

Mr Park urged people to get vaccinated if they hadn’t already.

Test positivity for influenza increased by 24 per cent in the week ending June 29, while people diagnosed with the flu jumped 33 per cent in the week ending June 15.

NSW Health executive director of health protection Jeremy McAnulty said the June 15 data was “concerning”.

“The high level of flu activity is concerning, and we expect this to continue in the coming weeks,” he said.

“Influenza is more serious than the common cold. It can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse, requiring hospital admission and causing death.

“Complications can occur in anyone but are most likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.”

Dr McAnulty also urged Australians to get vaccinated.

“Vaccination is the best protection against infection and severe disease. Everyone, but particularly those at higher risk of severe disease, is urged to get their influenza vaccination now; it’s not too late to get vaccinated,” he said.

“By getting vaccinated you also help protect those around you.”

Originally published as More than 3400 children aged 10-19 test positive for influenza in one week, NSW Health data reveals