Swine flu on the rise in Australia
It has arrived much later this winter, it’s not hitting the elderly more than other groups although those with chronic conditions are at risk, but experts say swine flu is now on Australia’s doorstep.
Australian Associated Press (AAP) reports that transmission of the H1N1 virus has been elevated in New Zealand for several weeks, according to the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG), and a jump in new infections is also now emerging in Australia.
“The timing of the flu season can vary somewhat each year,” said ISG chairman, Dr Alan Hampson.
“Current data now shows that infections are on the increase in Australia and influenza is now at significant levels in New Zealand, which usually shortly precedes Australia.
“To us this means that outbreaks are imminent.”
The latest flu tracking data for New South Wales, issued earlier in August, points to “influenza-like illness” infections among the state’s unvaccinated population rising to above 4%.
Commentary with the data warned that the “sustained rise is consistent with broadening influenza activity in the community”.
A Department of Health and Ageing ‘Influenza Surveillance Report’ for the week ending 13 August also notes a jump in laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
There have also been four pandemic influenza related deaths in 2010 reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.
Dr Hampson said vaccination remained the best protection against the virus, which was known to pose added risks to pregnant women and younger Australians as well as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people – and particularly those with chronic medical conditions.
