黑料吃瓜网 Health is reminding people with symptoms of flu to stay away from aged care facilities after a series of influenza outbreaks.
There were 2244 influenza cases confirmed in 黑料吃瓜网 in the four weeks to 3 March - almost double the 1144 notifications in February last year, 黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 latest Influenza Surveillance Report shows.
Eight outbreaks at aged care facilities were reported in February.
黑料吃瓜网 Health鈥檚 Communicable Diseases Branch Director, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said several factors were contributing to the high level of unseasonal flu cases.
鈥淪ome of the increase follows a late influenza season across tropical parts of Australia, which affected northern 黑料吃瓜网, and now it鈥檚 likely that travellers returning from the northern hemisphere are bringing flu home with them,鈥� Dr Sheppeard said.
鈥淯nusually high levels of influenza activity are being seen in most states and territories, with the national reporting rate more than three times the average for this time of year.鈥�
Influenza activity last winter was the lowest recorded since 2013.
Dr Sheppeard said while it鈥檚 unlikely the high number of cases will lead to widespread infection in the community, it is concerning to see outbreaks at aged care facilities.
鈥淩esidents of aged care facilities will have little immunity left from last year鈥檚 flu vaccine, so it鈥檚 important to not expose them to the risk of influenza,鈥� Dr Sheppeard said.
鈥淚f you have a fever, cough or runny nose please postpone visiting elderly relatives until you recover.
鈥淚f you have symptoms of flu it鈥檚 important to prevent the spread by coughing and sneezing into your elbow, washing your hands regularly, and staying home if you鈥檙e unwell.鈥�
Publicly funded vaccines for high risk people for the 2019 season will be available across Australia from mid April.
The reports can be viewed at Influenza Surveillance Reports.