Queensland Sees Surge in Flu Cases, Health Experts Warn of Worsening Situation

Queensland's flu cases have soared across the state, with urgent health warnings to get vaccinated. The state saw over 3050 cases recorded in the past week, the highest number of flu cases recorded in a single week to date. Over 210 people have been hospitalised in the past week with influenza, with more than 90 per cent being unvaccinated.

\"Last week, an average of 129 beds were occupied daily by patients hospitalised with the flu,\" Dr Heidi Carroll said. \"In the week prior, an average of 112 beds were occupied daily by flu patients. We are expecting flu hospitalisations to overtake COVID-19 hospitalisations in coming weeks. There was an average of 165 beds occupied by people hospitalised with COVID-19 across the state last week.\"

She says vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness from influenza, which can be fatal in young children and elderly people. \"Vaccination is the best defence against winter viruses to stop the chain of transmission and prevent serious illness,\" Carroll said.

Experts are also concerned that flu cases will soar further when school children go back to school next week. \"Children are more likely to catch and spread influenza, contributing to transmission in the community, but also young children are vulnerable to serious illness from the flu,\" Dr Carroll said.