About 15,000 Victorian cases of the flu have already been recorded, with many more likely going undetected.
It is three years since Australia experienced a substantial influenza season, thanks mostly to COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 leading to a lack of transmission.
The most recent season of significance was in 2019 when 953 people died, which at the time was much higher than the five-year average (403.8), but lower than the 2017 figure of 1183, the other season of note in recent times.
However, with COVID-19 restrictions lifted, influenza is making a comeback, and even though the flu season is only in its earliest weeks, the Goulburn Valley Public Health Unit said there were signs that cases would be high.
“It’s a bit difficult to say how this year will compare with 2019 at this stage,” GV Public Health Unit clinical director William Cross said.
“That becomes clearer at the end of the season.
“We are seeing more cases than we’d like to see, though. On top of COVID, we’re dealing with influenza and COVID at the same time. We’d like people to remain extra vigilant.”
Dr Cross said the preventative lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic also related to influenza as both were respiratory diseases and transmitted in similar ways.
“There are lots of reasonable, preventative things we learnt to do during COVID,” he said.
“If in a crowded space, maintain distance as best you can, don’t spend too much time in those spaces, wear a mask, wash your hands. Hand hygiene is really important there. You really can’t wash your hands too much.
“People who are unwell, even if they have a negative COVID result, they really shouldn’t be going to work, they shouldn’t be going to school and they certainly shouldn’t be going to sensitive environments, such as aged care homes.”
Dr Cross has also urged people to get vaccinated against influenza. He said the vaccination was previously only free to people at highest risk of severe illness, but that all people could now receive it free of charge between June 1 and June 30.
Under the Victorian Government’s $33 million package, more than 3000 GP clinics and community pharmacies have been invited to make the vaccination free of charge.
“Free influenza vaccination has been made available to all Victorians over the age of six months this influenza season,” Dr Cross said.
“People should check with their local practice to see if consultation charges will apply.
"They can also get the influenza vaccination at our vaccination hub in the McIntosh Centre at the Shepparton Showgrounds on Mondays and Fridays between 9am and 5pm.”
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