Australia : Flu outbreak worsens

Via Waverly Leader :

" THE number of flu cases reported in Monash is already four times higher than last year, with authorities warning the worst of the season is still to come.

Health Department figures show there were 723 laboratory-diagnosed cases of flu across the state in the seven months to July 12, compared with 234 in the same period of 2010.

Monash figures have mirrored the Australia-wide trend, rising from seven cases last year to 28.

Influenza Specialist Group chairman Alan Hampson said excluding the 2009 swine flu outbreak, this year would be the worst in a decade.

“It hasn’t hit as badly in all states, but we’re expecting to see the number rise in Victoria in the next few months,” he said.

He said the outbreak would put pressure on local doctors and hospitals.

“It’s one of the issues that hospitals need to deal with every flu season, but there’s certainly going to be added pressure,” he said.

Mr Hampson said strains of swine flu had already been detected in Victoria, although people could still be immunised to beat the flu variety."