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Flu cases unusually low this winter Flu cases unusually low this winter
(21 days later)
Australia has experienced an unusually low number of influenza cases this winter, with strong take-up of vaccinations and the relatively warm weather credited as influencing the lull.Australia has experienced an unusually low number of influenza cases this winter, with strong take-up of vaccinations and the relatively warm weather credited as influencing the lull.
According to official government figures, there has been a sharp drop in confirmed cases of the flu in the period 27 July to 9 August. This year has seen 1,704 confirmed cases, compared with 6,976 confirmed cases in the same period last year.According to official government figures, there has been a sharp drop in confirmed cases of the flu in the period 27 July to 9 August. This year has seen 1,704 confirmed cases, compared with 6,976 confirmed cases in the same period last year.
Interestingly, given this winter's status as one of the warmest on record, the number of dengue virus infections rose from 31 in the reporting period last year to 72 this year. Malaria cases remained steady, with 22 reported last year and 19 cases this year.Interestingly, given this winter's status as one of the warmest on record, the number of dengue virus infections rose from 31 in the reporting period last year to 72 this year. Malaria cases remained steady, with 22 reported last year and 19 cases this year.
The Influenza Specialist Group, a medical group that specialises in tackling flu, said there had been a total of 10,632 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Australia in the year to 23 August.The Influenza Specialist Group, a medical group that specialises in tackling flu, said there had been a total of 10,632 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Australia in the year to 23 August.
Kim Sampson, chief executive of the group, told Guardian Australia that strong support for the flu vaccine was helping keep the rates down.Kim Sampson, chief executive of the group, told Guardian Australia that strong support for the flu vaccine was helping keep the rates down.
"It's hard to predict what happens from year to year, but it's clear that there is a late start to the flu season this year, much like 2010," he said. "It may well be possible to attribute this to a very early uptake of the influenza vaccine. We're seeing strongly positive attitudes to the vaccine from the public.""It's hard to predict what happens from year to year, but it's clear that there is a late start to the flu season this year, much like 2010," he said. "It may well be possible to attribute this to a very early uptake of the influenza vaccine. We're seeing strongly positive attitudes to the vaccine from the public."
Sampson said it was "possible" that the warmer weather was also having an impact, but that it was harder to draw a trend between long-term temperature increases and rates of flu.Sampson said it was "possible" that the warmer weather was also having an impact, but that it was harder to draw a trend between long-term temperature increases and rates of flu.
"We saw an upsurge in influenza rates earlier in the year in Queensland, at a time of heavy rain and flooding," he said. "That wasn't a temperature thing, but because people were kept indoors with windows and doors closed. That creates an environment where a virus can spread.""We saw an upsurge in influenza rates earlier in the year in Queensland, at a time of heavy rain and flooding," he said. "That wasn't a temperature thing, but because people were kept indoors with windows and doors closed. That creates an environment where a virus can spread."
"You see the same kind of thing when it's cold. People stay indoors and keep in close quarters. So there is no one single element to flu.""You see the same kind of thing when it's cold. People stay indoors and keep in close quarters. So there is no one single element to flu."
Sampson said while this was a quiet year for influenza cases, it wouldn't beat the record set in 2007, when there were just 10,586 confirmed cases for the whole year.Sampson said while this was a quiet year for influenza cases, it wouldn't beat the record set in 2007, when there were just 10,586 confirmed cases for the whole year.
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