Horror flu season strikes another state: 25 Queenslanders have died so far this year as experts warn of unprecedented toll across the country
- Flu has claimed at least 25 lives in Queensland and 17 in South Australia this year
- Experts warn there could be 4000 influenza deaths in the country this year
- So far there have been 40,000 laboratory confirmed cases in the country
- Most flu cases are reported from NSW, Queensland and South Australia
More than 25 people have died in Queensland after contracting Australia's horror flu virus, up 56 per cent on this time last year.
Figures obtained by the Courier Mail newspaper show that there are more than three times as many flu cases in Queensland than what is considered normal, according to the five year average.
It comes South Australia recorded 12,339 cases of flu since January this year, with 17 deaths.
Experts have warned there could be as many as 4000 flu-related deaths this year.
Government data showed so far there have been 40,000 laboratory confirmed cases so far - three times the usual amount recorded at this time of the year.
Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales governments have reported more than 10,000 confirmed influenza cases in their respective states.
Residents are urged to take their flu shots as the influenza virus has already claimed 25 lives in Queensland and 17 in South Australia
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Queensland health authorities said more than 800 people with flu were admitted to the state's public hospitals for treatment this year.
They believe the 2019 death toll will far surpass last year's total of 43.
'Flu is a serious viral illness,' Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said.
'It is not the same as a common cold and these figures clearly show how serious the complications can be. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza.'
Government data showed so far there have been 40,000 laboratory confirmed cases in the Australia so far this year
Researchers believe the alarming rate of cases is due to an unusual occurrence where two different A strains are in high circulation, rather than one.
The Communicable Diseases Weekly Report, released by New South Wales Health on April 21, revealed there had been a 300 per cent surge in recorded flu cases compared to last year.
'For the year to date there have been 10,121 confirmed influenza notifications reported, much higher than for the same periods in 2018, (with) 3,803, and in 2017, (with) 2884,' the report read.
South Australia has been rocked by a sky-high number of flu cases in what has been labelled as an 'unprecedented' start to the flu season.
'Sadly, 13 have been in residential aged care facilities,' South Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paddy Phillips said of the deaths.
Mr Phillips noted the number of influenza cases had been 'unprecedented'.
'It is an unprecedented year, we have never seen influenza in these numbers at this time of year,' he said.
