http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 993726.htmFlu spike on the way, experts warn
By Michael Edwards
This year's flu season has been late, but influenza experts say people should brace themselves for some potent strains of the disease.
Last winter it was predicted that hundreds of thousands of people could be affected by the swine flu virus.
While those numbers did not eventuate, many people still felt the ill-effects of the flu and experts are warning it is on its way back.
Virologists keep a close eye on New Zealand to see what flu strain is going to hit Australia next.
The head of the Influenza Specialist Group, Doctor Allan Hampson, says the flu season has arrived later than expected and the number of cases is continuing to climb.
"We're seeing increasing levels of influenza levels in New Zealand over the last three weeks," he said.
"We normally follow New Zealand by a couple of weeks, so that's a good indication of what's to come."
It is estimated almost 3,000 Australians die from influenza-related causes every year.
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Dr Hampson says the threat remains as serious as ever and there is still a strong risk from the swine flu.
"The virus that's predominant at the moment is the same one that we had last year, the so-called swine flu," he said.
"But there is a second or even a third virus actually in the community at the moment and we're not sure just to what extent they will be predominant or whether the swine flu will continue to predominate in Australia."
Last year, the swine flu caused worldwide panic.
Dr Hampson says it differs from most flu viruses because it affects many people who are usually not considered at risk.
"It tends to attack younger people than we're used to with influenza," he said.
"The severe cases and the deaths have occurred in people who don't appear to have any underlying risk condition."
Pregnant women and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are considered to be at extra risk.
Dr Hampson says it is not too late to have a flu shot.
"Those people who are in the risk groups that's over 65s, people with underlying risk conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease and pregnant women," he said.
"If they haven't been vaccinated with the seasonal vaccine, they should probably do that within the next few days ... and hopefully they will gain some level of protection before the worst of the flu hits."
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