The number of notified cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza was almost 279 times higher than the number notified by the same time in 2021 but only 17 per cent higher than the number in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, 31 cases have been confirmed in Campaspe Shire Council.
A meeting of leading scientists as part of the BioMelbourne Network’s BioForum last week confirmed influenza was resurgent in the Southern Hemisphere.
Professor Ian Barr, deputy director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, said Australia was at the forefront of the fight against flu.
“From the samples that are being sent to us at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, we’re seeing vaccine components that are well matched to the Influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) that are circulating in Australia,’’ he said.
“While it’s too early to assess vaccine effectiveness, this is a positive start.
“Australia is really at the forefront of the fight against flu, with a number of the viruses in this year’s vaccines being isolated at the WHO labs here in Melbourne.”
Seqirus international regions executive medical director Jonathan Anderson said this year’s flu season would provide lots of lessons for how we prepared and implemented public health strategies in the future.
“Australia is in a unique position in that we are one of the first countries to face COVID and a simultaneous flu season that is similar to pre-COVID levels,’’ Dr Anderson said.
“It’s clear that the rest of the world will be watching our flu season closely and learning from our successes or failures.’’
The gathering emphasised the importance of vaccination and personal hygiene measures including masks as tools in the fight against flu.
