As the leaves turn golden and the air chills, Australians are bracing themselves for the winter season.

However, this year, the usual suspects of cold and flu invited some unwelcome additions to the mix—causing an alarm for healthcare professionals nationwide.

Hospitals across Victoria and New South Wales are grappling with a formidable trio of respiratory viruses.

Confirmed cases of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) made a 'triple whammy' of health threats, straining healthcare systems and communities.

Dr Clare Looker, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, raised the alarm on the severe jump in flu cases as the state battles this viral trifecta.

'We've seen a significant jump in flu (cases),' she stated in an interview, emphasising the situation's urgency.

As winter approaches, hospitalisations for COVID-19 have spiked by 37 per cent in just one week.

A triple threat of viruses are now on the rise across Victoria and New South Wales. Image Credit: Pexels/Anna Shvets

Dr Looker pointed out that COVID-19 does not adhere to 'neat' seasonal trends, unlike the flu.

Wastewater testing revealed high amounts of COVID-19 in the community, indicating widespread transmission.

'I think we are probably in for a few more weeks of high activity. That number will probably go higher regarding hospital admissions,' she added.

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'We're in that time of year when flu and RSV rates always go up. But we're seeing a significant jump in flu, again in the last fortnight, to about 75 per cent higher than two weeks ago,' Dr Looker shared.

'It's probably higher than we saw last year, but not different in the pattern.'

Dr Looker also noted that children are more susceptible to flu and RSV, which may lead to bronchiolitis—a severe respiratory condition in which the small airways in the lungs become inflamed.

Alarmingly, nearly a quarter of those hospitalised with the flu are children under ten.

This is a reminder of the indiscriminate nature of these viruses and the importance of protecting the population.

She reported that around 1.3 million flu vaccines were administered this year, a few hundred thousand fewer than in previous years.

'We're very keen that people understand how effective the flu vaccine is, and it is recommended across age groups,' Dr Looker shared, emphasising the importance of vaccination as the best defence against viruses.

Across the border in New South Wales, the situation is similarly dire.

NSW Health's latest report confirmed the start of this year's influenza season, with a noticeable uptick in disease notifications and emergency department presentations in early May.

The report also shared that cases may 'rapidly increase over the next six to eight weeks and influenza activity will quickly reach high levels'.

With all three viruses circulating, NSW Health shared that they are anticipating a 'large number of people' will be infected.

This triple threat poses a unique challenge to individuals and healthcare providers, as symptoms can overlap and complicate diagnoses and treatment.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones? Here are some critical steps:

1. Get vaccinated: The flu and COVID-19 vaccines prevent severe illness. Check with your healthcare provider to ensure you're up to date with your vaccinations.
2. Practise good hygiene: Regular handwashing, using hand sanitiser, and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can help prevent the spread of viruses.
3. Stay informed: Keep up with the latest health advisories from your local health department and be aware of the symptoms of each virus.
4. Seek medical advice as symptoms appear: Contact your doctor, especially if you're in a high-risk group.
5. Consider wearing masks: Wearing a mask in crowded or enclosed spaces can reduce the risk of transmitting respiratory viruses.

As we navigate this challenging winter season, it's important to take proactive steps to safeguard our health.

By staying vigilant and following public health recommendations, we can help mitigate the impact of this triple-virus explosion.

Key Takeaways

• Victoria and NSW are experiencing a significant increase in cold and flu cases, alongside rising COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections.
• Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Dr Clare Looker, confirmed a severe jump in flu cases and highlighted that COVID-19 hospitalisations spiked by 37 per cent.
• Children are vulnerable to the flu and RSV, the latter being a leading cause of bronchiolitis in infants and young children.
• Health authorities emphasised the efficacy of vaccines and the importance of vaccination, noting that the number of flu vaccines administered this year is lower than in previous years.
• NSW Health also anticipated a significant increase in influenza cases and a peak in virus activity in the coming weeks.

We urge our members to prioritise their health and well-being during these trying times. Share your experiences and tips for staying healthy in the comments below.

 

[Rob44]

Just more scaremongering.
no worse than any other winter.
Just trying to scare people into poisonous covid vaccines.
Attempting to line the pockets of the Pharmaceutical companies with each Covid test costing $6.

Yes those poisonous vaccines. Thank goodness we no longer have to join the UN's world conspiracy of having to be vaccinated to avoid smallpox and poliomyelitis!

 

[Rob44]

Please advise source of information. I am sure we would all like to know.

Well said.

 

[Rob44]

Absolutely correct.But as you said, the “blind sheep” just keep following!
Haven’t they had enough of the now proven lies and deceipt of Dictator Dan and his merry men?
The truth is surfacing but the blind keep following!

Thank goodness the horrible socialist government of the UK hooked me up to compulsory smallpox vaccination, to free poliomyelitis vaccination and to what I believe was that compulsory schools programme of TB vaccination. I must have been implanted with countless little blood-stream borne gadgets produced by those horrible socialist governments to continue to support vaccination against COVID-19. Come to think of it, I was born around the time the United Nations formed itself for World Domination. I must be one of its earliest vaccine-addicted Zombies!

Baaaaaaa!

 

[tomtom]

My wife and I are both vaccinated out = 5 covid, now flu, I have had so many holes punched into me that every time I have a drink I leak !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Colette 3799]

My son just went through the worst flu he has ever had. Fever and body ache for 5 days and a bad chesty cough that lasted 2 weeks.
I gave him a covid test and showed positive to influenza A. I made him stay upstairs and so far no one else apart from his girlfriend and her whole family got it.
She is a teacher and caught it from her students who gave it to my son

He said it was way worst than when he had covid

I had a flu just before him but just a flu with a horrible cough which I still have

A lady at our Gym class has been away for a few weeks. She came back this morning and she said the same as your son, the flu is way worse than Covid. We had our flu shots a couple of weeks ago so fingers crossed we will be ok. It certainly seems like a very bad flu season this year.

 

[Knell]

I wonder if the increased RSV rates are in the vaccinated? Just sayin... Why don't they add that information at the end? Maybe because they know that we know the information would be fudged to suit the narrative

I can tell you that many babies and very young children are in ICU due to RSV. As babies and young children they can and do go from fine to dangerously ill within a matter of hours. But, you are safe - you have your tin foil hats on!

 

[Rob44]

A lady at our Gym class has been away for a few weeks. She came back this morning and she said the same as your son, the flu is way worse than Covid. We had our flu shots a couple of weeks ago so fingers crossed we will be ok. It certainly seems like a very bad flu season this year.

I have had the 'flu and colds many a time. None had me coughing up fresh blood and later blood mixed with green mucus as did C-19, despite the Paxlovid pills. Covid seems to vary in the damage it delights to do, which can affect most organs of the body quite seriously, unlike 'flu/colds to which we have better immunity even without vaccination.

Viruses that jump from animals to us and to which we have little to no natural immunity at the outset of the resulting pandemic, such as the Kansas pig virus (Spanish Flu) which in 1917 began killing people amounting to somewhere between 20 million and 50 million from a population of just over 1000 million, are the worst. The bird 'flu virus (HV1N1, or some esoteric number like that) has recently jumped to a human somewhere in the world and Australia still seems unprepared should it spread abroad.

 

[Colette 3799]

I have had the 'flu and colds many a time. None had me coughing up fresh blood and later blood mixed with green mucus as did C-19, despite the Paxlovid pills. Covid seems to vary in the damage it delights to do, which can affect most organs of the body quite seriously, unlike 'flu/colds to which we have better immunity even without vaccination.

Viruses that jump from animals to us and to which we have little to no natural immunity at the outset of the resulting pandemic, such as the Kansas pig virus (Spanish Flu) which in 1917 began killing people amounting to somewhere between 20 million and 50 million from a population of just over 1000 million, are the worst. The bird 'flu virus (HV1N1, or some esoteric number like that) has recently jumped to a human somewhere in the world and Australia still seems unprepared should it spread abroad.

That sounds dreadful, sorry you had to go through that. My husband and myself, touch wood, have never had Covid or the flu. The most either of us have had is a mild cold in many years. Although a few months ago I really thought I’d finally got Covid as I felt so sick I thought it has to be it. But I got checked by the dr and he said it was a virus. I was as good as new in two days So still in the 15% club

 

[Asiew]

Yeah, I've been keeping an eye on those warnings too. It's crazy how these viruses keep evolving.

 

[freedy50]

Had my flu vaccination a couple of weeks ago and will have to make arrangements to have another COVID booster.

And for current health information I'll listen to the doctor that lives opposite me and what he sees in the local hospital he works in.Not anonymous conspiracy theory sheep on a forum.

 

[BruceC]

Had my flu vaccination a couple of weeks ago and will have to make arrangements to have another COVID booster.

And for current health information I'll listen to the doctor that lives opposite me and what he sees in the local hospital he works in.Not anonymous conspiracy theory sheep on a forum.

Best of luck to you.