Flu deaths in WA almost double in one week

The number of flu deaths in Western Australia for the year-to-date has jumped to 29, up from 15 last week.

Flu fatalities in Western Australia have almost doubled in just one week.

Last week's Health Department figures showed 15 deaths and 5777 laboratory-confirmed infections so far this year.

On Tuesday, the number of fatalities had jumped to 29, while infections had soared to 9016.

That compares to four deaths and 1399 infections for the same period in 2018.

The department says last year's flu season was particularly mild but this year's started two months earlier than usual.