The Australian Medical Association fears Western Australia is in the midst of one of the state’s worst flu seasons on record as cases soar and vaccination rates dwindle.<\/p>\n
The previous peak in the past five years for flu cases in July was 15,796 in 2023.<\/p>\n
Figures from the WA Health Department show more than 13,000 cases have been reported for the month so far, and experts expect numbers to surpass the last record.<\/p>\n
AMA WA President Kyle Hoath said West Australians were enduring a tough winter.<\/p>\n
“You’ve heard of the horror flu season thrown around and it really is what we are seeing, worse than it has been in a long time,” Dr Hoath said.<\/p>\n
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AMA WA Vice President Dr Kyle Hoath anticipates a tough end to winter.\u00a0 (ABC News: Lauren Smith)<\/p>\n
“I would expect these numbers to increase over the next couple of weeks at least into the next month before we see any kind of relief from natural attrition.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a difficult couple of weeks ahead.”Record low vaccinations<\/p>\n
Dr Hoath attributed the rise in cases to low vaccination rates.<\/p>\n
“The vaccine uptake [is] at a record low,” he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Flu vaccination rates are down this year.\u00a0 (ABC News: Grace Burmas\u00a0)<\/p>\n
“Currently it’s at 25 per cent but historically it would sit above 30 per cent.<\/p>\n
“Low uptake is having an impact on these high influenza numbers.”<\/p>\n
National picture bleak<\/p>\n
In Queensland, four hospitals have paused elective surgeries<\/a>, as an influx of illness puts pressure on the health system.<\/p>\n