Late f lurry in f lu numbers

Predictions New Zealand would be hit by a devastating northern hemisphere flu season have failed to materialise – so far.

Flu cases have increased in the past two weeks but the numbers remain ‘‘unseasonably’’ low, health authorities say. The predominant strain was ‘‘swine flu’’ or the H1N1 virus.

Cases of the H3N2 strain responsible for massive outbreaks in Europe and the United States have been limited.

Rates of influenza-like illnesses have been remarkably low with a current peak of about 25 cases in 100,000 people nationally.

This compared with an average seasonal rate of 50 per 100,000. But authorities were warning of potential for the rates to climb higher.

Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey urged people to get vaccinated, if they had not done so already.

‘‘We are not entirely out of the woods this winter,’’ he said.

‘‘It is still important to get vaccinated.

‘‘If you can be, you should because it could still be weeks before cases peak and it would still be well worth getting vaccinated.’’

Humphrey said the increased cases signalled there could be a later peak in cases. It was possible the New Zealand population had developed some resistance to the H3N2 flu strain by being exposed to some of it last winter. Good vaccination coverage and a relatively mild winter would also have increased defences against the flu strains, Humphrey said.

‘‘A lot of respiratory viruses are spread more easily when people gather together during cold or rainy periods so that may have also conferred some protection on us as well.’’

‘‘We are not entirely out of the woods this winter.’’ Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey