The Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) reports that there has been almost 21,000 laboratory confirmed cases in the country this year – that’s double the number of cases at the same time last year.
The records show that many of the cases are affecting those aged between 20 and 49 and 25 per cent more women are getting sick than men.
This can be attributed to mothers being the primary caretaker of children, who are much more likely to contract influenza.
“People tend to think of the flu as an illness that has its worst impact on the elderly,” says Dr Alan Hampson, the chairman of the ISG.
“The reality is that influenza results in 18,000 hospitalisations every year. Many of those seriously affected are not elderly people. They are regular working people.”
The ISG reports that the majority of cases are Swine flu or H1N1 and that the best way to protect yourself is through vaccination.
The flu vaccine is free for pregnant women, those aged over 65 years, Indigenous Australians aged 15 years or older, and children and adults suffering underlying medical conditions.
