Data is telling the Western NSW Local Health District that the influenza (flu) season is yet to begin within its boundaries.
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But it continues to offer advice as to how to protect against the preventable infection that killed people in the district in 2017.
Only 59 people were confirmed as having flu in the district in the first six months of 2018, compared with 107 cases in the same period last year.
“Flu cases usually start to rise from June to October each year, however this year figures indicate the flu season has not started yet,” a health district spokesperson said.
In 2017 Australians experienced the worst flu season on record since a 2009 pandemic. “Case numbers started to rise in early June with the peak occurring in mid-August,” the spokesperson said.
There were almost 3000 notifications of laboratory-confirmed flu cases in the health district in 2017.
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The health district reports of the NSW government’s record $22.75 million investment in immunisation programs across the state this year.
“This includes $3.5 million for free flu shots to children up to five years of age and a $1.75 million immunisation and flu prevention campaign,” the health district spokesperson said.
“Vaccination is the best protection against flu and it is not too late to be vaccinated.”
Free flu shots are available to pregnant women, children up to five years of age, people aged 65 or over, Aboriginal people, and people with medical conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes and heart problems.
Good hygiene habits are also being promoted including coughing and sneezing into the elbow, regular cleaning of hands and staying home when sick.
“The diagnosis of influenza continues to improve as a result of rapid testing made available in hospitals in 2017 and the increased use of testing by general practitioners,” the health district spokesperson said.
