Australia is experiencing its worst influenza outbreak in years, and experts warn the worst is yet to come.
Nearly 5000 cases of the influenza virus were reported nationwide in June alone. To put that in perspective, during the 2009 global swine flu pandemic there were 15,623 cases reported in Australia in the first six months.
Even those who have received the flu jab are at risk, as the dreaded H3N2 virus responsible for most of this year’s outbreak has mutated enough to partly evade the vaccine’s protection.
Director of the World Health Organisation’s Collaborating Centre for Influenza in Melbourne, Anne Kelso, said “It’s not dramatically different, there will be some protection from the vaccine, but it’s not a perfect match.”
Alan Hampson, chairman for the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG), said that because the H3N2 strain hadn’t been prevalent in Australia for a number of years, this could mean that this year’s outbreak is particularly nasty.
“Typically, we can expect to see more deaths and hospital admissions,” Dr Hampson said.
High risk groups include pregnant women, the elderly and children, with children under nine among the hardest hit this season.
Experts are advising that those who are experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home from work or social situations to prevent further spread of the virus.
Source: bodyandSoul