NSW Health is urging the community to protect themselves against serious illness as cases of flu and emergency presentations continue to rise across the state.
NSW Health Executive Director of Health Protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report shows in the week ending 15 June 2024, there was an increase of 33 per cent in people diagnosed with influenza compared with the previous week.
“The latest data also showed an increase in the number of people who presented to NSW emergency departments (EDs) with influenza-like illness, and some increase in admissions from EDs as well,” Dr McAnulty said.
“The high level of flu activity is concerning, and we expect this to continue in the coming weeks. Influenza is more serious than the common cold. It can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission and causing death. Complications can occur in anyone but are most likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.
“Vaccination is the best protection against infection and severe disease. Everyone, but particularly those at higher risk of severe disease, is urged to get their influenza vaccination now; it’s not too late to get vaccinated. By getting vaccinated you also help protect those around you.”
Dr McAnulty said flu was highly contagious and urged people to avoid visiting high-risk settings including hospitals and aged care facilities if they are experiencing symptoms. “If you have flu symptoms it is important to stay home and avoid contact with others until after your symptoms have gone,” Dr McAnulty said.