Influenza levels have reached a new high across the state, with emergency department visits up more than 400 per cent on last year’s figures.
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The total count of hospital visits for influenza-like illnesses peaked at approximately 800 presentations, for the week ending August 13.
This figure is an increase of about 600 attendances, compared to 2016’s peak of 200 visits in September.
“We have had bad seasons like this before, but not normally this early in the year,” Dr Amanda Venables from Milton Medical Centre said.
“All you need is someone to come here from a different community and brings a variant with them we might not have had here yet to start the cycle again.
“The people who are hit the most are the young, the elderly, the immune suppressed or those with chronic respiratory issues.
“If people are unwell stay home, wear masks if you have a cough and wash your hands regularly, especially if you are in public touching common things.”
The peak influenza season in NSW is from August to July, however the 2017 season commenced in July and many predict it will extend into September.
