Health authorities sound warning for 'early, severe' flu season with cases up almost 30 per cent

There have already been 24,019 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu across Australia so far this year, according to official Department of Health figures.Australians are being urged to get vaccinated against the flu as early as possible this year, after cases over summer were unusually high. Immunisation Coalition chief executive Dr Andrew Minton said the latest figureswewre "concerning".

"Population immunity is still recovering from the pandemic but influenza infection remains high and a serious disease," he said.With the start of cooler weather sending people indoors, Australia is likely to see flu cases spike in the coming weeks. Traditionally, influenza spreads most rapidly in Australia during winter and early spring, with July and August typically seeing the highest number of cases.But since 2022 the flu season has started earlier, spreading rapidly from April onwards and peaking earlier, in June.more than tripling pre-pandemic levelsVery young children, the elderly and pregnant women are among those at the highest risk of ending up in hospital or dying from influenza.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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