NSW’s flu season is on track to arrive early. But who’s at risk, and should we be concerned? – ABC News

New South Wales health authorities are urging people to protect themselves against influenza, with the latest data indicating an early flu season is imminent.

Respiratory surveillance reports published by NSW Health indicate approximately 5,160 people across the state were diagnosed with influenza in April, an increase of more than 20 per cent from the same time last year.

Nearly 200 people have presented to hospital emergency departments with influenza-like illnesses every week in that time.

The Australian Influenza Surveillance Report shows influenza cases typically rise in May, leading to a peak circulation of the disease in July and August.

This year, NSW is experiencing a flu season more akin to what it experienced in 2019, when cases rose in April and peaked in June and July.

However, Associate Professor of Health at the University of NSW Holly Seale said an early flu season itself was not a cause for deep concern.

"It has peaks and troughs that have changed over the years," she said.

"Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was more common to have late seasons in which peak influenza activity was occurring in September and October as the weather was getting warmer.

"This year, we're seeing a repeat in trends from what the northern hemisphere has encountered in terms of having an earlier flu season."

While changes to the timing of flu season are not uncommon, the early start to the season in 2024 has seen politicians and health professionals encourage people to take earlier action than usual to protect themselves.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park has been advising the community to get vaccinated as soon as possible, emphasising that the flu was far more serious than the common cold that people often mistake it for.

"This is not an ordinary cold and flu," he said.

"We know that it can lead to hospitalisations and serious impacts on people's health, and unfortunately, this year, we're already seeing significant increases in cases compared to the same time last year."

The government's respiratory surveillance reports show 1,458 children under the age of 10 were diagnosed with influenza in April, making up 28 per cent of all diagnoses.

Chair of the Immunisation Coalition Rod Pearce told ABC Radio National that children under the age of five were especially susceptible to influenza, having not been exposed to the disease throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"A three- or four-year-old child hasn't seen influenza through natural protection," Dr Pearce said.

"They're being hit with a disease the body's not yet seen."

According to the Australian Immunisation Register, only one in 14 children under the age of five are currently vaccinated against influenza in NSW, despite vaccines being available for all children over six months old.

Dr Seale said the most effective way someone can protect themselves against infection is by getting a vaccination, but misconceptions about influenza and the effectiveness of the vaccine are complicating this process for many.

Vaccinations help the body develop immunity to influenza using deactivated or weakened versions of the virus.

Antigens in the vaccine stimulate the immune system to recognise the virus and develop antibodies that fight infection.

This process takes approximately two weeks to take effect, during which Dr Seale said the vaccinated person is still susceptible to contracting influenza.

"You may end up getting the flu in that period when you're still waiting for your vaccine to kick in," Dr Seale said.

"That's when you hear people say the flu vaccine didn't work for them or that they had the worst case of flu the year that they got vaccinated."

Because of this, she says there is no ideal time to wait for vaccination, and that members of the community are best protected by vaccinating themselves as early as they are able.

Beliefs about the severity of influenza and alternative forms of treatment also complicate the matter.

Dr Seale said a high number of people are attempting to obtain antibiotics as treatment, despite evidence that they don't remedy symptoms of influenza.

The frustration of having to get vaccinated annually also disincentives people from protecting themselves against infection, she said.

The Australian Immunisation Register indicates that, as of April 28, only one in 10 people had been vaccinated against influenza.

The beginning of the influenza season this year coincides with a breakthrough discovery that could change the need for an annual vaccination against influenza.

Currently, as new strains of influenza develop every year, new vaccines must be rolled out to match the risk posed by the virus, making an annual flu jab necessary.

Different vaccines are available for people of different ages and with different health conditions.

Two weeks ago,scientists from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne discovered nine viral fragments of influenza that have been present in all historical strains of the virus.

These nine fragments are key to activating killer T-cells, a type of cytotoxic T cell in the body that is crucial to fighting influenza.

It is their hope that this discovery can be used to develop a universal influenza vaccine.

Posted10h ago10 hours agoSun 12 May 2024 at 7:47pm, updated8h ago8 hours agoSun 12 May 2024 at 9:39pm

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NSW's flu season is on track to arrive early. But who's at risk, and should we be concerned? - ABC News