QUEENSLAND’s influenza season has ended, with Redland Hospital recording 209 admissions.
Of those, 92 people presented to the emergency department, mostly in September.
Admissions where influenza was the principal diagnosis increased sharply from an average of four per month from the January to June period, to 28 in July and a peak of 89 in August then 68 in September.
The August peak was a 95 per cent increase on average admissions.
Logan Bayside Health Network Please executive director Jacinta Powell said Queensland had its worst flu season in at least five years, recording a total of 50,650 flu notifications and 5451 public hospitals admissions.
“In the Metro South region year to date, there were 12,163 notifications and 1200 hospitalisations for flu in the week ending 1 October,” Dr Powell said.
“Redland Hospital alone has had 209 admissions for inpatient care related to flu since 1 January.”
Dr Powell said data showed an increase in July with 28 admissions, jumping sharply to the peak of 89 in August before a decline to 68 admissions in September.
Queensland-wide data showed that more females (55 per cent) than males (45 per cent) were hospitalised and the median age was 38.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said this year’s flu season was one for the record books.
“Queensland has been faced with one of the worst flu seasons in recent history,” he said.
“We’ve seen more than 50,000 cases across the state this year, which is nearly double the number in previous years.
“Our hospitals saw a higher rate of admissions than usual ... with 638 (patients) requiring intensive care.
Queensland’s chief health officer Jeannette Young said influenza hit Queensland harder than anyone expected.
A flu summit will be held in Brisbane today.
Mr Dick said the summit was aimed at preparing health officials for next year’s flu season.
