Flu season could be over

Data collected by the Federal Health Department shows this year’s flu season was earlier, saw higher cases than average, and could be on the way out already.

This comes as State Health Data showed Geelong as the local government area with the second highest number of flu cases –  1,301 cases this year.

Casey, taking in Melbourne suburbs of Cranbourne West, Clyde, Berwick and Hallam, had 2,200 cases reported.

Victoria recorded 34,414 cases of Influenza compared with New South Wales which recorded more than 100,000

Before the pandemic, the flu season peaked in June, September and August for 2019, 2018 and 2017 respectively.

The past two years saw no discernable flu season, with most of the population wearing masks, socially distancing and staying at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, further showing mandates helped stop the spread of not only COVID, but the flu as well.

The 5-year average set the peak in August.

However, this year the number of flu diagnoses skyrocketed in April, before peaking in May and sharply declining in June.

 

 

Image: Influenza cases reported across the country, Federal Dept. Health [supplied]