Australia is experiencing one of the worst flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics in its history, with a dramatic increase in the number of children hospitalized with both diseases.
The number of instances of the highly contagious viruses has soared this year, with 117,650 people sick with RSV. As a result, parents are being strongly encouraged to vaccinate their children.
The areas with the highest number of instances were in New South Wales, followed by Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.
Although the height of the flu season is not anticipated until mid-August, the number of influenza cases is still on the rise. The state of Queensland is now witnessing the highest number of outbreaks.
Children in the Sunshine State will be returning to school this week, and top health officer Dr. John Gerrard has issued a warning that the number of flu cases will increase.
Approximately 20 children were admitted to the hospital daily due to the flu over the school holidays; however, Mr. Gerrard cautioned that this number might rise to 50 in the upcoming weeks.
Dr. Gerrard requests that all eligible individuals have the vaccine so that the virus cannot spread rapidly through a household and infect other susceptible family members.
From January to the end of June, 24,256 instances of influenza were reported in Queensland, with 10% requiring hospital admission.
The majority of hospitalized children are younger than two years old, and while influenza has the most significant infection incidence in Queensland, RSV rates have increased compared to last year at this time.
In June, the number of influenza cases increased across all age categories in New South Wales; however, it has been particularly high among children under the age of 16.
However, following a high in April, the number of RSV cases in NSW has decreased.
Half of the 125 people hospitalized in the state due to RSV or the flu were children younger than five years old.
Premature infants and children with preexisting diseases are the only ones who are now administered an RSV passive vaccination, according to Professor Spurrier.
According to the professor, pregnant women in South Australia will have access to a vaccination against RSV next year, and more children will likely be able to receive the vaccine in 2025.
