Flu epidemic one of our worst ever

QUEENSLANDERS are in the midst of one of the state’s worst ever flu seasons, with more than 3500 people struck down in the past week alone.

There were 10,831 people diagnosed between January to last week, but by Thursday it had jumped by 3624 to 14,455.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said it was the second highest number of reported flu notifications in the state’s history.

“It’s a one- third increase in the total flu numbers in Queensland this year,” he said yesterday.

Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital emergency specialist Dr David Rosengren said it had been a particularly bad flu season.

“This year we are seeing a significant spike,” he said.

Dr Rosengren said the problem was not that the vaccine wasn’t working, it was the people who didn’t get the jab.