The flu season is dragging on longer than usual this year, resulting in increased presentations to emergency departments. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
NSW Health is reporting an unusually long flu season with increasing numbers of patients presenting to hospitals with influenza-like illnesses.
NSW Health Minister and Keira MP Ryan Park said recent NSW Health respiratory surveillance reports showed influenza remained prevalent in the community, which experts say is very unusual for this time of year.
For the week ending 29 November, there was a 4.3 per cent increase in influenza notifications across NSW compared to the previous week.
Notifications in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District have remained steady around the 100 mark, while numbers are rising in the Southern NSW and the Murrumbidgee health districts.
Mr Park said cases had continued to climb in the past few weeks and sat at around the same number of cases notified at the start of June this year, the first week of winter.
“Most people with flu don’t have a test, so this is just a small proportion of all people who have had influenza recently,” he said.
“This late increase is concerning as it means the flu season will continue to impact hospitals in NSW, especially emergency departments, and may continue to do so into December, a time of year when many gather for Christmas and end of year parties.”
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the state was experiencing a longer tail to the flu season than in previous years, which “was a concern”.
“Usually by September or early October influenza levels have tapered to quite low levels from the peak, which traditionally occurs during winter but … notifications are increasing,” she said.
“No one wants influenza, or any respiratory illness for that matter, to ruin the end of their year, so it’s important everyone takes preventive measures to stop its spread.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated. If you are sick, please stay home, and wear a mask if you need to go out, to help stop the spread.
“We would also encourage people, especially those who are vulnerable, to talk to their GP and prepare a plan for what happens if they do get sick, such as getting access to anti-viral medication.”
Mr Park said despite the increase in hospital presentations, ED wait times remained stable.
“This time of year is usually when our hospitals and our staff get respite from the burden of respiratory illness, but this is not the case. Instead we are seeing sustained pressure on our EDs and on the staff who work there and across the wards,” he said.
“My worry, and the worry of our health experts, is that we’re seeing an increase at a time of year where people are rightfully getting together to celebrate – but the last gift we want to be giving each other is a dose of influenza.
“By getting the influenza vaccination and staying home when we’re unwell, we can all do our bit to support health staff and protect loved ones from serious illness.”
If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, such as a mild case of influenza, NSW Health recommends people should call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour advice.
Healthdirect has reported an increase in calls during the prolonged influenza season, with more than 50,000 calls from people experiencing respiratory symptoms.
For more information on respiratory illness, including to book a flu vaccination, click here.
