South Australia has reported a spike in influenza cases, prompting Health Minister Jack Snelling to urge people to get vaccinated.
The State Government says reported cases of the flu have jumped by more than 40 per cent from the same time last year, with 511 cases reported since January.
Mr Snelling says the rise could be due to a late peak in the flu season last year.
But he says there are also early indications that the disease could be more serious than usual.
“That’s why it’s more important than ever for people to get a flu shot,” he said.
“Everyone we would recommend get a flu shot, but particularly those with chronic illness and the elderly … both of which groups can get their flu shots for free.”
Mr Snelling’s warning comes amid a national campaign targeting Australians who suffer underlying medical conditions.
Last month Alan Hampson from the not-for-profit Influenza Specialist Group told ABC News 24 that Australia’s flu vaccine would prevent the strain circulating this season.
“You have to formulate the vaccine six months ahead, and so we have a wide network of laboratories around the world that analyse the strains in a very scientific way to determine which ones are the evolving viruses,” he said.
“Sometimes they may get a little bit ahead of you by the time the vaccine is released.
“But this year the WHO has just made it’s formal decisions for the next Northern Hemisphere winter, and … it’s exactly the same as our vaccine that’s being released at the moment.
“In other words our vaccine, we’re quite confident, is totally up to date, in terms of all the viruses we’ve seen around the world.”
Source: ABC News