'Unusual' flu trend with SA cases to spike later than expected
An "unusual" flu trend will likely see more people sneezing and reaching for their tissues after the peak winter season, South Australia's health experts say.
South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier reported that flu cases in the state have recently begun to rise, an unusual trend for this time of year. The most likely explanation is the presence of the K strain, originating from the northern hemisphere, which has provided some immunity to the population but could lead to waning immunity over time.
An Adelaide doctor, Daniel Byrne, noted that other respiratory illnesses, such as rhinovirus and RSV, have kept health workers busy this year. While it is not too late for individuals to receive the flu vaccine, health experts anticipate that more cases could emerge later in the year. RSV, a highly contagious illness that often requires hospitalization in young babies, has been particularly prevalent in South Australia, with over 5,702 cases recorded this year.
Health authorities are closely monitoring RSV case numbers and considering expanding eligibility for the free RSV vaccine to include additional vulnerable populations.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.