As the winter cool comes in full swing, Australians are facing a health challenge that's all too familiar—the seasonal flu.

However, this year's influenza outbreak has been formidable.

Due to a significant surge in cases, hospitals have been on high alert.

It's a reminder that apart from COVID-19, other respiratory illnesses remain a potent threat to our well-being.

The spike in flu cases in Victoria has been alarming—a 28 per cent increase in cases was reported over the past fortnight.

New South Wales isn't faring much better—according to the NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance report, there has been a 33 per cent rise in severe influenza cases.

These numbers are not just statistics; they represent a growing pressure on our healthcare system and a risk to the vulnerable members of our community.

Hospitals have warned about the surge in influenza and other respiratory cases since last month. Image Credit: Shutterstock/doublelee

Epidemiologists like Professor Adrian Esterman attributed this uptick to several factors.

'Fewer and fewer people are protecting themselves with face masks and handwashing. Because of that, people are more exposed to the flu than this time last year,' Professor Esterman said.

'The second reason is there's been a bit of an early start to the flu season in the Northern Hemisphere. The current strain of influenza that's circulating now is identical to that in the Northern Hemisphere last winter,' he added.

With international travel also back in full swing, these flu strains eventually found their way Down Under.

Dr Max Mollenkopf's advice was straightforward.

'When you are sick, just stay at home. The office doesn't need you that badly. We can help everyone to stay well.'

He also emphasised the importance of vaccinations for both COVID and influenza.

Children, in particular, have been vectors for the spread of the flu.

'So many younger kids, they're eligible for free flu vaccines, and really they're the ones bringing it from daycare and school, and they're the ones spreading it throughout the community,' he added.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Clare Looker also urged residents to get their flu shots.

'The flu can be deadly—getting vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones,' she advised.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported 59 influenza deaths as of March 2024, with the highest numbers in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.

These figures are a sombre reminder of the flu's potential impact.

To combat the increasing number of cases, the National Immunisation Program made influenza vaccinations free for those at higher risk.

This program caters to children from six months to under five years old, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, citizens aged 65 and over, and individuals with certain medical conditions.

These groups could experience severe complications from the flu, making vaccination a vital step in protecting them.

By taking preventive measures and looking out for each other, we can help ease the burden on our hospitals and safeguard the health of our communities.

Key Takeaways

• Hospitals have reported a significant increase in influenza cases across Australia, with a 28 per cent rise in Victoria and a 33 per cent increase in NSW over the past weeks.
• Hospitals have been on high alert, and experts strongly urged the public to get vaccinated against influenza.
• Experts highlighted a decline in COVID-era protective practices, alongside increasing international travel as factors contributing to the surge.
• Free influenza vaccinations are available under the National Immunisation Program for groups considered to be at higher risk.

Have you gotten your flu shot yet? How are you preparing for the flu season? Share your thoughts and any health tips with us in the comments below.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I understand your comment; however, there are utter bigots uttering utter bigotry; and there are those who may be confused utterly by the utterings of utter bigots, who usually have an agenda to push; and there is available information that might relieve the confused from the utter bigots' utterings. My being confused at times by certain bigoted utterings of bigots, I can understand the problem and so I try to find information so as to help me learn when utter bigots utter bigotry. And that information is worth passing on, otherwise it becomes a waste of time looking for it.

And at times my having a sense of humour, that article should certainly enable utter bigots to twist their knickers utterly.

 

[Rob44]

Why then has one brand of vaccine been removed.
Proven to have caused blood clots killing 1000’s.

Assume 8 billion people get vaccinated, with an adverse event rate of 2 in 1000 doses indeed that is a lot of adverse events, which may include deaths. But with just over 10% (1 in 10) guaranteed to suffer the debilitating condition known as Long-Covid (let alone dying from Covid), socially 2 in 1000 adverse events becomes small beer. For the greater good etc. It's why certain British RN destroyers and armed merchantmen protecting convoys in the battle of the Atlantic took on German heavy cruisers and battleships despite being completely out-gunned and out-ranged. And it may be why we write in English.

PS I gather that 12 people in Australia have died because of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. Evidently, the decision to end its production was a commercial decision.

 

[natalielocket]

Why have you had Breast twice and what exactly is it?

Probably Breast
Cancer. I read between the lines.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I had a cold 6 weeks ago for 3 days (36 hrs) NO JABS what so ever... and i dont give a shit about a medal, its easy to do but there are to many brain dead dipshits out there who wont take any notice.. well how sad to bad tell someone who cares, you lot keep going and getting your jabs it will make more room for the rest of us.

 

[Aahgee]

Again, they are pushing face masks that were proven useless against airborne viruses. Also, pushing COVID jabs that have been proven ineffective and even have dangerous side effects, weakening white blood cell counts and the immune system. Could this be one of the reasons for the spike in flu cases requiring hospital care?
Please don't be one of those sites that, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, suggest current Covid measures are safe and effective. They are NOT! Most viruses are passed on via touch as viruses have a live
shelf life on surfaces touched by those infected. Washing of hands and being aware of what you touch is the best plan of action.

 

[Rob44]

"Again, they are pushing face masks that were proven useless against airborne viruses. Also, pushing COVID jabs that have been proven ineffective and even have dangerous side effects, weakening white blood cell counts and the immune system. Could this be one of the reasons for the spike in flu cases requiring hospital care?"

Yet more rubbish Trump-speak.

1) N95 face masks lessen the risk of passing on Covid-19 to others and may protect oneself from the Covid-19 infested idiots coughing in the local shopping centre.

2) About 2 in 1000 suffer what my be termed adverse events from the assorted Covid-19 vaccinations. There have been approximately 64 000 000 vaccinations recorded by the TAG and about 150 000 adverse events have occurred with about 12 deaths from the Astra Zeneca vaccine, if I recall the the TAG web-site correctly. Of course you can look at that web-site yourself and you will no doubt not want to trust it,

However, I do advise you to stop sprinkling salt on your food as it now contains millions of minute microchips dumped in the sea and indeed in assorted salt pans so that we are controlled by BIG Pharma in conjunction with the secret World Government to continue to overdose on salt.

One question. Why do surgeons wear face-masks when they operating on people? Answer; to protect the patient; and that is what the N95 mask does, it protects other people. And yes, washing hands is important.

 

[BruceC]

Bring back compulsory masks.

What utter rubbish!

 

[BruceC]

Masks should still be enforced. We haven't stopped wearing our masks when out shopping or appointments since Covid began. And it's still here. Some think it's just a cold. It isn't and especially for those of us with immune compromised. I have had Breast twice now and so both my husband and myself wear masks whenever we are out. He wears the Maskit cloth mask with replaceable filters and washes the mask regularly. I wear a P2 mask or N95 disposable mask.
With flu, Covid and RSV all around it's going to be a difficult time. We also use sanitiser and sanitize the shopping trolley at the supermarket. Yes they still supply the wipes. Please take all precautions you can through this ongoing time

Just because you have issues and that is sad DON’T try and force your needs onto others.
No need whatsoever to bring back masks.
If people want to wear them then well and good

 

[BruceC]

The flu vaccine changes every year to the variant the Northern hemisphere has from their winter outbreak. Which was much higher because people have become complacent since Covid and forget Flu still exists. The reason we have had low flu outbreaks until last year is because masks were mandatory. And our Medical practice still asks patients with flu or Covid and symptoms to wear a mask while inside the practice.

False!
Not all practices require masks!
Not even theVictorian Heart Hospital enforces the mask rule. They are optional and supplied at the front.
My heart specialist was not even wearing one.
So please get your facts right before you rave on!

 

[BruceC]

I make sure washing hands and using tissues if coughing or sneezing.
Keep fluids up water and teas also eat Oranges ,Lemon in the morning with warm water .
Stay hydrated as much as possible.

Tissues are a big spreader of these viruses
People use them drop them or simply leave them behind.
The old fashioned washable Handkerchief is the best solution.
But people are so lazy they cannot be bothered washing them.

 

[BruceC]

Assume 8 billion people get vaccinated, with an adverse event rate of 2 in 1000 doses indeed that is a lot of adverse events, which may include deaths. But with just over 10% (1 in 10) guaranteed to suffer the debilitating condition known as Long-Covid (let alone dying from Covid), socially 2 in 1000 adverse events becomes small beer. For the greater good etc. It's why certain British RN destroyers and armed merchantmen protecting convoys in the battle of the Atlantic took on German heavy cruisers and battleships despite being completely out-gunned and out-ranged. And it may be why we write in English.

PS I gather that 12 people in Australia have died because of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine. Evidently, the decision to end its production was a commercial decision.

Would love to know where such a know all as you gets his false stats from?
But I’m happy for you to believe what you want to believe and I won’t be the forcing my beliefs onto you.
Im happy for you or anyone else to keep taking these so called vaccines just as you should appreciate that it is my right to not take these poisons!

 

[BruceC]

Removed ages ago. I do recall reading about that, but not 1000's.

Do some proper research.
It‘s not that hard.
But I’m OK if you want to just believe everything you are told.

 

[Rob44]

With all due respect, do you buy a big supply of toilet paper? That you wear a mask because you are immuno compromised is admirable but please DON'T impose masks on everyone else.

It would be simple courtesy to wear masks when out in crowded areas, courtesy to those who are in various ways are vulnerable to influenza and Covid-19. However, don't expect simple courtesy from your fellow countryman, or countrywoman, as this is Australia, land of the rugged and free, or something.

 

[Rob44]

Would love to know where such a know all as you gets his false stats from?
But I’m happy for you to believe what you want to believe and I won’t be the forcing my beliefs onto you.
Im happy for you or anyone else to keep taking these so called vaccines just as you should appreciate that it is my right to not take these poisons!

Try the TGA website as a start. Once you have the TGA's figures, you can then compare those with other data-sets that are reliable, as a check. Then next time you mouth off, please cite your sources so that others can also check your sources of information. Then you may be able to become involved in a meaningful discussion rather then a Trumporantic melodrama.

Full fathom 5 lies Billy Hay; His by Right, the right of way.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Do some proper research.
It‘s not that hard.
But I’m OK if you want to just believe everything you are told.

Glad you're OK

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

I understand your comment; however, there are utter bigots uttering utter bigotry; and there are those who may be confused utterly by the utterings of utter bigots, who usually have an agenda to push; and there is available information that might relieve the confused from the utter bigots' utterings. My being confused at times by certain bigoted utterings of bigots, I can understand the problem and so I try to find information so as to help me learn when utter bigots utter bigotry. And that information is worth passing on, otherwise it becomes a waste of time looking for it.

And at times my having a sense of humour, that article should certainly enable utter bigots to twist their knickers utterly.

Thanks very much Rob44.
Your posts @36,39 and this one are really appreciated and acknowledged as valuable to me. There are times when it is easy to become confused by the "utterings" of some.

My temporary confusion did not extend to preventing us from having the last vaccine (RSV) recently. So the scientific evidence and work being done still shone through any temporary confusion as being the smart thing to do.

virusMED is brilliant in its blockchain style format and I can now understand why vaccines for viruses are able to be developed so quickly. This is often a fear thing for the bigots to put out there.

Cheers for that and keep up your highly valued contributions. As well as that unique humour.

 

[Rob44]

Would love to know where such a know all as you gets his false stats from?
But I’m happy for you to believe what you want to believe and I won’t be the forcing my beliefs onto you.
Im happy for you or anyone else to keep taking these so called vaccines just as you should appreciate that it is my right to not take these poisons!

First false statistic. 8 billion people in the world. There are more than that now.
Second false statistic 1:2000 adverse events from vaccinations; an approximation from the 2.1 per 1 000 quoted by the TGA.
Third false statistic, 10% of those who catch Covid-19 end up with Long-Covid. It is somewhere between 10% and 30%, according to the assorted summaries of the research I have read.

However, I worked in simple approximations which is adequate for simple comparisons of the sort I made.

Over to you for the accurate statistics from peer-reviewed, reputable journals that can be cross-checked.

 

[Rob44]

False!
Not all practices require masks!
Not even theVictorian Heart Hospital enforces the mask rule. They are optional and supplied at the front.
My heart specialist was not even wearing one.
So please get your facts right before you rave on!

Obviously the staff of Victorian Heart Hospital are lacking in good manners and common sense, just as in most hospitals these days. If masks don't provide any benefit, why do surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses wear them when working in operating theatres?

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

Trumporantic melodrama.

Full fathom 5 lies Billy Hay; His by Right, the right of way.

The first bit is easy to understand.
With the second, you surely have piqued my interest. The tattooist?? Shakespeare?
Really curious as to how that is linked to post comments.

 

[Rob44]

Just because you have issues and that is sad DON’T try and force your needs onto others.
No need whatsoever to bring back masks.
If people want to wear them then well and good

"DON’T try and force your needs onto others".

That is some selfish comment!

Bruce being a male name you have a 1 in 6 chance of developing prostate cancer as you age and you could well be unlikely to realise that fact until it has metastasized to your pelvis and /or hip/femur. After your first 16-week dose of chemotherapy, during which you will become immunocompromised, during which your hair and toe/finger nails will fall off and you may expect to feel weak and depressed, after which you will be put on pills and injections that on average will keep you going along, with variable discomfort, for around an average of 4-5 years; but those pills and injections will ruin your sex life, if you still have one.

Should you need a course of some of those pills, they cost $40 000 a year, approximately, although on the PBS a year's supply is only approximately $360. However, in the spirit of not forcing your needs on to others despite having proststate cancer (and I hope you don't and won't) I expect you will happily front up with that full $40 000 per year cost yourself.