Health experts monitoring predicted flu outbreak in Australia

PUBLIC health experts in Wales say they are monitoring the earlier-thanpredicted flu outbreak in Australia which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people.

Close to 400 people have died in Australia during their flu season, with the number of infections this season rising past 183,000.

Based just on infections alone health officials say it is the second worst flu season in recent years.

But Public Health Wales says the outbreak in the Southern Hemisphere does not necessarily predict the influenza season in Wales.

Dr Simon Cottrell, principal epidemiologist at Public Health Wales, said: “There is no evidence to suggest that the season will start similarly early here.

“However, flu seasons are unpredictable and there is potential for variation in the timing and severity of the influenza season every year.

“The influenza season in Wales is not expected to start until later in the autumn or winter.

“An annual influenza vaccine offers the best protection against catching and spreading flu and vaccines usually become available towards the end of September.

“Flu can cause serious complications for some and every year people in Wales die from flu.

“It is important that those who are at increased risk of complications of flu get their vaccine early in the autumn, if possible, to offer protection before flu viruses start to circulate widely.”

The annual flu vaccine is strongly recommended for pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions and those aged 65 years and older as these groups are at high risk of being very unwell with flu.

Children are also vulnerable and for those aged two and three years old on August 31, the nasal spray flu vaccine will be available from their GP surgery.

Children at primary school age will be offered nasal spray flu vaccine at school.

In addition, unpaid carers can get a free flu vaccine at their GP surgery or community pharmacy.

And care home staff with regular client contact will be able to have a free vaccine at their community pharmacy.