Qld severe flu season easing

Less Queenslanders were struck down with flu last week than the week before with authorities hoping the severe season is ending.

The most severe flu season to strike Queensland in recent years seems to be coming to an end, with a drop in recorded cases during the past week.

This year 29,996 Queenslanders were struck down by the disease, with about 75 per cent contracting the influenza A strain, which affect adults more.

But figures are decreasing for the first time and Queensland Health's Dr Heidi Carroll said flu season appears to have peaked.

Last week 4,500 cases were detected a drop from the 4,700 infected the previous week.

"The annual figure has already overtaken recent years with 23,285 notified cases for the entire year in 2016 and 28,059 in 2015," Dr Carroll said while announcing the figures on Tuesday.

Of those with the flu, 3,225 have ended up in public hospitals and 353 required intensive care.

Dr Carroll has repeated the government's push for people to have a vaccination, practice good hygiene and stay home when sick.


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Source: AAP


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