New South Wales’ rate doubles from that recorded in January last year, health department says

An “unusually high” number of people have been hit with the flu this summer in New South Wales – double the numbers recorded in 2018.

NSW Health said on Friday there had been 2,196 confirmed cases of influenza across the state in the five weeks to 3 February.

While it is not unusual for a spike in flu cases at this time of year, as people return from holidays in the colder northern hemisphere, the national reporting rate is almost three times the average, the department said.

“In NSW, our rate has doubled from notifications in January last year but thankfully once home in summer temperatures, influenza doesn’t tend to spread as easily from person to person,” Dr Vicky Sheppeard said in a statement.

The department has recommended that pregnant women due to give birth before April get a free flu shot from their GP or pharmacist.

“For the rest of us, it is best to wait until the 2019 flu vaccine becomes available in April or May,” Sheppeard said.