It's a timely finding by scientists, with almost three hundred reported fatalities from the virus this year, in part down to an earlier-than-usual start to the flu season.
South Australia has been particularly hard hit. 82, mostly elderly, people have died in the state so far this year with the total number of flu cases closing in on 20,000. At the same time last year, there had been just 1500 confirmed cases.
It's prompted opposition calls for a review of the government's handling of the flu season, including the adequacy of vaccine supplies.
