Illawarra GPs and hospital EDs are gearing up for a spike in presentations as the annual influenza season hits its peak.
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The region’s acting public health director Glendon Lee said the flu season was peaking earlier than usual, with a marked increase in notifications in July.
In June there were 51 confirmed cases throughout the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District; yet just over two weeks into July there’s already been 162 cases.
That’s up from last year’s figures – with 20 confirmed cases in June and 138 cases for the entire month of July 2016.
‘’We’re coming off a higher base due to increased testing, monitoring and reporting so it’s hard to compare the raw figures,’’ Mr Lee said.
‘’It’s definitely an early start to the season, with the peak typically occurring in August and September.
‘’GPs and hospitals plan for increased visits and presentations during the winter months and are prepared.’’
However Labor’s health spokesman Walt Secord said an increase in flu cases across the state meant hospitals were under pressure.
There’s been 11,176 confirmed cases across the state so far this year – compared to 8757 cases from January 1 to July 31 last year.
‘’Regional hospitals as well as Western Sydney hospitals are being smashed by the flu season,’’ Mr Secord said.
‘’NSW is on track to have one of the worst flu years on record – and the Berejiklian Government has been caught completely unprepared.’’
Meantime Mr Lee said influenza type A accounted for three-quarters of the cases in the region, with the remainder being type B.
‘’This year’s flu vaccine is effective against this year’s dominant flu strains so we would encourage people to get vaccinated,’’ he said.
‘’Annual vaccination is recommended for anyone aged over six months, and is free for some people including those aged over 65, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people, pregnant women and those with certain chronic conditions.’’
As well Mr Lee urged people to practise good hygiene to minimise the risk of catching, or spreading, illness. ‘’If you have symptoms don’t visit vulnerable people or aged care facilities. And if you’re sick, stay home.’’