Medical experts are predicting Queensland could be hit with a triple whammy this flu season, with influenza, RSV and COVID rates set to skyrocket as children head back to school.
The state’s Chief Health Officer Dr John Garrard said about 20 children were being admitted to hospital each day with the flu, however this number was expected to rise to 50 within the next two or three weeks.
“With the return to school, we can expect to see an accelerated transmission of respiratory infection across Queensland,” Garrard said.
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“We know it’s spreading very rapidly amongst children.”
Flu season isn’t expected to peak until mid-August, with Garrard warning people to “stay at home if you are unwell” in an attempt to curb the rise in cases.
Two strains of influenza A are of “particular concern” this year, with large parts of the state, particularly the southeast, affected.
“Most people presenting to hospital at present are not vaccinated against influenza,” Gerrard said.
“And that’s putting additional pressure on our emergency departments.”
Queenslanders were urged to get vaccinated, with people over 65, children under 5, and pregnant women the most at risk.
Gerrard said Queenslanders this flu season should “get vaccinated, stay at home if you are unwell and wash your hands regularly”.
There have been 24,256 Influenza cases in Queensland up to June 30, and 25,763 cases of RSV, according to Queensland Health.
COVID-19 is also on the rise with 39,885 cases up to June 30.
Health authorities are seeing about two waves a year in the state, mostly due to fluctuating immunity and the spread of new variants.
RSV cases have doubled compared with this time last year, and most hospitalisations have involved children under the age of two.