In 2022, Australia reported the worst May on record in terms of influenza cases. The national disease surveillance system recorded about 65,770 confirmed influenza cases – more than doubled of the previous record set in 2019.
In preparation for the upcoming flu season in the Northern Hemisphere, #TogetherAgainstFlu spoke to Dr. Ian Barr, Deputy Director of World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne (WHOCC), who shared his insights on:
- what the numbers mean
- how the Australian Government Department of Health and Age has reacted to the spike in influenza cases, and
- whether the Northern Hemisphere may see a similar flu season trend as we exit the summer months.
