Worst yet to come in horror flu case spike

HEALTH authorities are warning it could still be another two weeks before Queensland’s horror flu season peaks, with nearly 13,000 cases diagnosed in the past three weeks.

Queensland Health data released yesterday shows the state is on track for a record flu season, with 4749 cases diagnosed last week, bringing the yearly total to 24,605 cases.

And experts have warned the worst could still be yet to come, predicting cases could continue to rise in the Sunshine State for the next fortnight.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said in the past three weeks notifications had risen from about 3600 in one week to nearly 5000 cases last week.

“I think it will continue to go up for another week or so, so it could very well be a record flu season in Queensland in the next seven to 14 days,” he said.

But Mr Dick said it was still not too late to get a flu vaccination, repeating his call for a national “conversation” about funding free flu vaccinations for all Australians.

“I think we’d have to do it nationally; it’s the only sensible way to go,” he said.

“It could be quite expensive, but the economic cost of not managing flu, or the economic cost of not ensuring flu is managed as well as it can ( be) in the community is significant if we don’t do that.”

Currently, only at- risk groups including pregnant women, seniors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eligible for a free vaccination.

Queensland Health chief health officer Jeannette Young said flu notifications were starting to ease in some southern states, suggesting notifications would “level off” in the Sunshine State during the next two weeks. Dr Young said most cases in Queensland appeared to be influenza A, a nastier strain that often led to more hospitalisations.