Influenza cases, which continue to increase throughout the country, have now reached epidemic proportions, as first indicated when flu cases crossed an epidemic threshold a week prior; with cases remaining above the threshold for a second consecutive week, influenza is officially now classified as an epidemic. Health authorities are now closely monitoring the continuing rise in influenza cases within the community.
1 week Ago
Epidemic Confirmation through GP Consultations
For the week ending 21 August 2021, there were 59 GP consultations per 100,000 patients with influenza-like symptoms, an increase from 51 GP consultations per 100,000 patients the week prior. The epidemic threshold is defined as 46 GP consultations per 100,000 patients, so the current number of GP consultations for influenza is well above the epidemic threshold and has remained above that threshold for the past two weeks, therefore confirming that influenza is now moving towards an epidemic. However, an official declaration of an epidemic does not result in any immediate changes to the way the healthcare system operates.
Compared with 2020, the influenza epidemic began later this year, with Australian Health officials reporting that GP influenza consultations reached epidemic levels at the end of January 2021. The peak of the influenza outbreak was at the end of the first week of February 2021, when GP consultations rose to 118 per 100,000 patients. During the outbreak of influenza in February, the number of GP consultations remained significantly above the national influenza threshold until the end of March.
Laboratory Data Shows Increased Activity of Influenza Virus
Experts rate the severity of influenza epidemics using not only the number of GP consultations for patients presenting with influenza-like symptoms but also the results of laboratory sa.
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