Nearly one in five flu cases hospitalised as WA expected to hit further spike in winter months

The Kimberley has recorded the second-highest number of flu cases in the State so far this year as WA grapples with a horror flu season.

The region has logged 837 cases to date, second only to metropolitan Perth which recorded 6450 infections.

The Kimberley weathered soaring flu case rates in February, recording more than 60 infections per 100,000 people — the highest in WA at the time — before plummeting back to baseline by May.

Across WA, hospitalisations are more than double last year’s rate with health authorities bracing for the worst yet to come.

WA Health figures show that as of June 8, nearly one in five recorded flu cases has ended with the person being admitted to hospital.

There have been 8083 recorded influenza infections so far this year, more than double the 3488 cases this time last year.

Of those 8083 cases, 1489 people have been admitted to hospital — more than double the 692 hospital admissions at the same time last year.

It’s also almost twice the five-year average of 765 hospital admissions.

The high spread of the disease comes as health experts warn a further spike is expected in coming weeks as the middle of winter nears.

In May alone, 1797 flu cases were recorded across the State — 936 more than May last year.

Australian Medical Association WA president Michael Page said it had been an unusual flu season, with baseline rates of the infectious disease remaining higher even throughout summer.

Dr Page said the fact the community had forgotten good hygiene habits adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic could be helping to spread the disease.

However, he said WA’s low vaccination rates was the number one cause.

“There was that cultural shift during COVID where people would be cautious and stay home when sick and keep their kids home from school,” he said.

“The community has reverted to going back to work when they feel able to and sending their child to school with a runny nose.

“This would definitely be impacting the spread but the number one issue is vaccination.

“We do have unacceptably low rates of influenza vaccination in WA — some of the lowest in the country.”

WA’s flu vaccination rates are below the national average in all age groups, with only 11.6 per cent of five to 15-year-olds vaccinated so far this year and 15.7 per cent of six month to five-year-olds jabbed.

Almost 15 per cent of 15 to 50-year-olds have been vaccinated, while 25.7 per cent of 50 to 65-year-olds and almost 55 per cent of over-65s have had the jab.

Dr Page called on Minister for Preventative Health Sabine Winton to find a new approach to boost flu vaccination rates.

“I think all the hospital system needs is another big wave of infection to just push it even further behind in its ability to treat patients,” he said.

“We need a new strategy in WA — we’ve got a Minister for Preventative Health and I hope that she’s looking very seriously at the impact of low vaccination rates on the overall health system, as well as on the health of individuals.

“More shocking billboards of people on their last breath in hospital is not the solution here.

“We need a new approach and we need to put a bit of time and effort into working out what the underlying reason is that people are not taking up vaccination in the way they used to.”

The Kids Research Institute and Perth Children’s Hospital infectious specialist Chris Blyth also urged West Australians to get vaccinated to prevent a further spike in cases, which would in turn reduce the pressure on the State’s hospitals.

“We know it spreads quickly in all populations, and we do know that children, particularly primary school children, are great vectors for influenza in the community,” he said.

“That’s why we have a primary school program in WA and we know that vaccinating primary school children reduces the amount of transmission in the community.

“Normally it takes a week or two to develop immunity from an influenza vaccine, so those unvaccinated people out there should take the opportunity now as we expect that numbers will peak in the coming weeks.”

Data shows the flu has been spreading most rapidly among five to nine-year-olds, followed by zero to four-year-olds.

The Wirth family was struck down earlier this year, with two-year-old Mia the worst hit.

With high fevers for six days, Renee Wirth rushed her young daughter to urgent care and the GP, where she was diagnosed with Influenza A.

“Influenza A was scary for me; we had to sleep on her floor as her fevers were hitting hard every four hours,” she said.

“She was getting bad blood noses and we were having to syringe small amounts of Hydralite into her just to keep her hydrated.

“This is the sickest Mia had ever been.

“We were hospitalised with RSV and pneumonia last year, which I thought was scary; this was far worse.”

Ms Wirth said she believed a lack of hygiene played a part in the spread of influenza this season.

“As a teacher, the last two years I have never been so sick with constant virus after virus hitting me, or the kids in my class,” she said.

“We were sick every second week. I truly believe it’s the lack of hygiene from people sneezing and coughing, then touching door handles, light switches, or sending kids to school thinking it’s a cold when it’s not.

“People don’t want to use sick days unless they have to, which also means people are going to work, using public transport or sending kids to day care unwell, which impacts families like ours.”

A spokesperson for Ms Winton said the Minister would continue to work with doctors and health professionals to find ways to encourage more people to get a free flu vaccination.

“With winter here, the Cook Government is urging all Western Australians to protect themselves and their loved ones against influenza through our free flu vaccination program,” the spokesperson said.

“Now in its fourth year, this important program is helping ensure eligible Western Australians can access their free flu vaccination ahead of the peak season.

“Last year, the State Government launched the successful ‘Don’t Assume You’re Immune’ campaign, which continues to play a key role in raising awareness about the importance of immunisation and countering harmful misinformation about public health.

“The campaign has driven more people to seek out accurate, trusted information from sources like the Immunisation WA website.

“The Minister recently met the AMA and will continue to work with doctors and all health professionals to find ways to encourage more Western Australians to take up the opportunity of a free and safe flu vaccination.”