Australia s current flu season was dominated by the h3n2 strain, as was the 2017 season in both countries. It s a common cause of hospitalisation and leads to thousands more gp visits every year. Australias 2019 flu season alone has resulted in 272,000 confirmed cases and 662 deaths, marking one of the worst outbreaks in the nations history, and it could again be making its way to america. In canberra, australias capital city, the 3,402 confirmed cases of influenza so far in 2019 is more than the number of cases in 2016, 2017 and 2018 combined.
Experts usually look to the southern hemispheres influenza season to. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and. Experts usually look to the southern hemisphere s influenza season to predict what might start happening here in the. This years flu season is expected to cause 4000 deaths among australians, as medical professionals cross their fingers the rate of infections slows before the winter peak. But experts believe australia s moderately bad season has probably hit its peak. Deadly flu season has researchers racing to find out why. Cdc says this years flu vaccine much more effective than. Us may be in for a deadly flu season after australias. Aug 15, 2017 australia hit by worst flu outbreak on record in 2017. Sep 22, 2019 australia s last bad flu season was in 2017, which saw more than 229,000 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza reported by the end of october. Australias science channel 2019 flu season may kill.
I guess the analogy is if you line up all these things in. This years flu vaccine has been 45% effective against the flu so far this season, new cdc figures show it worked better. A human cell infected with the h3n2 flu virus, responsible for australias and the u. It s hard to predict what will happen later in the season, brammer says, but she cautions that weeks, if not months, of flu season are still to come. Jul 19, 2019 at 40,000, the number of confirmed cases is triple the typical levels seen at this time of year in 2018 there were 58,000 recorded cases for the entire year. And typically what they experience in their winter, in our summer, is the same strain of. May 07, 2019 australia is headed for a bad flu season after a surge in cases in summer and autumn. But experts believe australias moderately bad season has probably hit its peak. What will the rest of the 20192020 flu season be like. Australia had its worst flu season to dateand the us could.
As the flu season comes to an end, were beginning to understand why it was so bad. So far, the news from down under is actually quite good. Western australias current flu season is the most severe in the states history fifteen people have died so far this year compared to four in the same period in 2018. Early flu deaths hint at nasty flu season in calif pacific palisades, ca a month into californias flu season, there are signs that this years flu strain may be virulent. This years flu season catches health authorities by surprise, starting earlier than usual and killing hundreds. Well, that depends on what you are talking about, of course.
Its hard to predict what will happen later in the season, brammer says, but she cautions that weeks, if not months, of flu season are still. Deadly flu season has researchers racing to find out why this. Its a bad year for flu, but its too early to call it the. This year s flu vaccine has been 45% effective against the flu so far this season, new cdc figures show it worked better. This year s flu vaccine has been 45% effective against the flu so far this season, new cdc figures show it worked better against the b strain of the flu 50% effective than the a strain 37%. The flu season ending in australia is one of the countrys most severe ever, sickening more. Australia has gone through one of its worst flu seasons in recent years. The flu season in australia is seen as an indicator of whats in store for the us, and the country just had one of its worst seasons to date. Sep 01, 2019 for those who love a good multiple of 1,000, or enjoy drooling over the passing of a historical threshold, yesterday was such a day for influenza flu counts in australia. Flu season could be especially long and deadly this year. Australia is in the grip of the worst flu outbreak on record and experts are urging.
A high number of flu cases in australia has some medical experts on high alert for a potentially bad flu season in the u. Oct 09, 2019 australia, which is finishing its flu season, had an unusually early and initially severe season, beginning in april, two months earlier than usual, and lasting into october. One of the best defenses against catching influenza is also one of the leastadhered to, according. Us may be in for a deadly flu season after australias sickened more than 272,000 people and killed 662. What s driving this possibility is the early start and early spike to the season nationally, an event that hasn. Australian influenza surveillance report and activity updates. Severity clinical severity for the season to date, as measured. Getting vaccinated against the flu, washing your hands and social distancing. Sep 14, 2017 bad flu season in australia not a good sign for u.
Jul 14, 2019 from early this year it s been apparent the 2019 australian influenza season was going to be different. The 2019 flu season will suck for america just ask australia australians are sneezing and coughing and getting hospitalized. Influenza activity updates may be published outside of the seasonal period. Australia s 2019 flu season alone has resulted in 272,000 confirmed cases and 662 deaths, marking one of the worst outbreaks in the nation s history, and it could again be making its way to america. Doctors are shocked by how quickly this seasons flu is striking down the young and healthy. Australias record breaking flu season could indicate a. H3n2, which emerged for the first time in the 1968 hong kong flu pandemic, tends to. Australia, which is finishing its flu season, had an unusually early and initially severe season, beginning in april, two months earlier than usual, and lasting into october. This strategic timing offers protection during the flu seasons peak between june and september in australia, though doesnt provide complete immunity. Early flu deaths hint at nasty flu season for california. Typically, flu season down under spans from june to october and peaks in august or. For those who love a good multiple of 1,000, or enjoy drooling over the passing of a historical threshold, yesterday was such a day for influenza flu counts in australia. Flu strikes down more than 183,000 people this year, and its.
So australias early season, flu strains and hospitalization numbers could all be clues for what canada can expect later this year. Information you need to know about the current 20192020 flu season. Flu report 20192020 flu season forecasts, stats, and tips. In australia, the flu season is considered may to october. There have been more than two and a half times more flu cases reported to australia s national notifiable diseases surveillance system this. Australia is in the grip of the worst flu outbreak on record and experts are urging people to have a flu vaccine now before it s too late. Jan 08, 2018 one of the strains circulating this year h3n2 has been dubbed aussie flu because it is the same strain that recently caused big problems for australia. One of the strains circulating this year h3n2 has been dubbed aussie flu because it is the same strain that recently caused big problems for australia. Western australias current flu season is the most severe. Weekly surveillance report of fluview for the 20192020 season will begin october 11. Whats the estimated effectiveness of this seasons flu vaccine so far.
A threeyearold child is the youngest of 26 people whose deaths have been attributed to victorias earlystarting flu season this year the youngster, along with two others aged six and 11, reported to the health department several weeks ago, acting chief. Whats driving this possibility is the early start and early spike to the season nationally, an event that hasn. Flu seasons also exist in the tropics and subtropics, but are usually less. Oct 15, 2019 back in 2017, australia had its worst flu outbreak in decades, which then made its way to the u. Jan 16, 2020 will the rest of this flu season be just as bad. Australia experiences worst flu season on record xinhua. While you can catch the flu at any time, its more likely to happen in the colder months of the year april to october.
Cdc recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine by the end of october. A threeyearold child is the youngest of 26 people whose deaths have been attributed to victoria s earlystarting flu season this year. The flu has killed more than 220 people and infected more than 100,000 across australia this year, with authorities warning the peak of the flu season is yet to come. Last fall and early winter, most people who were infected with the flu had a strain called h1n1, but the dominant flu strain changed further into the season, and by late. Australia will likely hit a peak in coronavirus cases around flu season. The flu season ending in australia is one of the country s most severe ever, sickening more. This flu season really strange 2019 may be shaping up to be a particularly bad year because immunity to the flu among aussies is low after a mild season in 2018. The australian influenza surveillance report and activity updates are compiled from a number of data sources, which are used to monitor influenza activity and severity in the community. Feb 21, 2020 what s the estimated effectiveness of this season s flu vaccine so far.
The situation in australia suggests this flu season could be even worse. Jun 21, 2019 there are signs, notably in south australia, that suggest it s possible. The death toll has risen even further as the number of flu cases in south australia hits a new and worrying high. Coming off consecutive unusually bad flu seasons, the 201920 u. Australias winter flu outbreak spikes early in season. Australias science channel 2019 flu season may kill 4,000. Australia s flu season helps predict how severe our season will be. The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flurelated symptoms to the healthdirect helpline. Australia is headed for a bad flu season after a surge in cases in summer and autumn. Now is the time for american to get their shots and brace for a really bad influenza season.
Nov 02, 2017 australia has recorded 221,853 flu infections so far in 2017, more than any other year. Doctors are shocked by how quickly this season s flu is striking down the young and healthy. Aug 18, 2019 this year s flu season catches health authorities by surprise, starting earlier than usual and killing hundreds. The winter spike in flulike symptoms is occurring earlier than usual across australia this. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. Australia has recorded 221,853 flu infections so far in 2017, more than any other year.
Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. Flu strikes down more than 183,000 people this year, and. Australia has just weathered one of its worst flu seasons on record and experts are warning this could mean a severe flu season is on the way for the united states. The flu season started early this year after a mild one in 2018, leading to significantly higher numbers of influenza cases than usually experienced by this point. May 07, 2019 this year s flu season is expected to cause 4000 deaths among australians, as medical professionals cross their fingers the rate of infections slows before the winter peak. From early this year its been apparent the 2019 australian influenza season was going to be different. Severity of the 2019 influenza season in australia a comparison between 2017 and 2019 h3n2 influenza seasons. Normally, the flu season coincides with the winter months of july and august.
Apr 10, 2020 laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories continues to decrease sharply and is now low. The flu season in australia is seen as an indicator of what s in store for the us, and the country just had one of its worst seasons to date. At 40,000, the number of confirmed cases is triple the typical levels seen at this time of year in 2018 there were 58,000 recorded cases for the entire year. The australian influenza surveillance report aisr is published on a fortnightly basis during the influenza season, typically between may and october. About 300 people have died from the flu already this year more than double that in all of 2018. Thats particularly true this time of year as the united states and the rest of the northern hemisphere head into what might or might. Well know with perfect clarity what happens with the 2019 season in about five months. Oct 04, 2019 australia s current flu season was dominated by the h3n2 strain, as was the 2017 season in both countries. Now researchers are racing to find out why the outbreak has been exceptional.
Australia flu season bad, what does that mean for the us. H3n2, which emerged for the first time in the 1968 hong kong flu pandemic, tends. Subsequently, one of the worst modern us flu seasons followed. Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness. And typically what they experience in their winter, in our summer, is the same strain of flu that were going to experience. Cbs 58 australia had a recordbreaking flu season with one of the highest number of cases in its history. Australias influenza season started 2 months earlier and peaked sooner. This strategic timing offers protection during the flu season s peak between june and september in australia, though doesnt provide complete immunity. Flu seasons also exist in the tropics and subtropics, but are usually less sharply defined. Australia in 2017 had one of the worst flu seasons in at least eight years, according to a report published by the australian government after the. Jun 27, 2019 so australia s early season, flu strains and hospitalization numbers could all be clues for what canada can expect later this year.
The 2019 flu season will suck for america just ask australia. World health organisation who influenza researcher, ian barr, said such aggressive seasons were generally a oneinevery10year. Jun 20, 2019 the 20182019 flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting 21 weeks, according to the cdc. Australias current flu season was dominated by the h3n2 strain, as was the 2017 season in both countries. The 20182019 flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting 21 weeks, according to the cdc.
There are signs, notably in south australia, that suggest its possible. According to the director of the center for disease control and prevention s influenza branch in january 2018, it was the first flu season where weve had the entire continental us show the same widespread flu activity, excluding the district of columbia and hawaii. Australia hit by worst flu outbreak on record in 2017. The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flurelated. Last year, amanda nix was doing tough mudder, but a few weeks ago she was struck down with the. Last flu season s vaccines were found to be 34% effective against h3n2 in the u. This web page provides weekly preliminary estimates of the cumulative inseason numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits and hospitalizations in the u. Its a common cause of hospitalisation and leads to thousands more gp visits every year. The 20172018 influenza season was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenzalike illness ili, high influenzarelated hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread influenza activity for an extended period. According to the director of the center for disease control and preventions influenza branch in january 2018, it was the first flu season where weve had the entire continental us show the same widespread flu activity, excluding the district of columbia and hawaii. Australias 2019 influenza season puts lives at risk the. Laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories continues to decrease sharply and is now low. But a new study suggests it can be severe in 6% of kids, especially those under five years.
Last fall and early winter, most people who were infected with the flu had a strain called h1n1, but the dominant flu. The flu season typically peaks in august, but laboratoryconfirmed cases of influenza have been higher than usual so far this year as have calls about flu related. Back in 2017, australia had its worst flu outbreak in decades, which then made its way to the u. Severity of the 2019 influenza season in australia a comparison. Flu season which struck down 310,000 australians worst on record. Australias last bad flu season was in 2017, which saw more than 229,000 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza reported by the end of october.
What can the united states learn from australias 2019 flu season. Australias flu outbreak could forecast problems for u. While you can catch the flu at any time, it s more likely to happen in the colder months of the year april to october. Australia had its worst flu season to dateand the us. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. Nov, 2019 that s particularly true this time of year as the united states and the rest of the northern hemisphere head into what might or might not be a bad flu season. But a new study suggests it can be severe in 6% of kids, especially. Oct 07, 2019 us may be in for a deadly flu season after australia s sickened more than 272,000 people and killed 662. Australias flu season helps predict how severe our season will be. Australias flu season typically runs between june and september, but authorities were caught by surprise when the 2019 season started early. But in public reporting, in 2017, it was about 1200.
8 1335 118 110 1440 1412 266 1236 1602 204 964 1026 892 1472 528 524 964 81 253 1066 1056 62 81 736 898 35 1390 76 180 682 622 782 1287 490