Killer flu is on way to Queensland

MORE than 1000 Queenslanders have been struck down with the flu this month, with experts warning the virus was spreading earlier than expected.

On Tuesday, doctors at the State Health Emergency Coordination Centre released flu data which showed the number of cases – just 10 days into the month – already marked the worst May figures for Queensland in eight years.

Adding to concern was the emergence of flu-Covid cases, and evidence people were not keeping up to date with their flu vaccines.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president

Chris Perry said that while there had already been 1000 cases in the state this month, last year, there were only 598 cases across Australia.

“This suggests that we will see a significant and early flu season,” Professor Perry said.

“Now that we are seeing combined flu and Covid cases, the pressures on our health system will only escalate.

“Your best protection is to get your flu shot now.”

Queensland had one of its worst flu seasons in two decades in 2019 – before the outbreak of the Covid pandemic – with almost 70,000 lab-confirmed cases and 264 deaths.

AMAQ vice-president Dr Bav Manoharan said many people might not have kept their influenza vaccines up to date during Covid.

“People haven’t had their flu shots and people haven’t been travelling,” Dr Manoharan said.

“Our borders are open now and flu is coming in from the northern hemisphere.

“Go and get your flu shot.” AMAQ committee of general practice chair Dr Maria Boulton said GPs are working overtime to vaccinate as many Queenslanders as possible against the flu.

New research reveals the seasonal version of the H1N1 flu virus could have a more sinister origin, with international researchers discovering that it appears to be a direct descendant of the 1918 strain.