Virus evolution behind spike in flu cases – Newshub

Health experts say the recent spike in flu cases is nothing out of the ordinary.

Three times as many people went to hospitals with a winter illness in July compared to the year before.

Public health physician Dr Jill Sherwood told Newshub the virus is changing, and catching people off-guard - but it appears worse than it really is.

"Although it seems bad they're three times higher, we've actually still only got what we would term low seasonal activity - last year we had unusually low activity."

The flu virus that was circulating last year had not changed much in several years, she said.

"We had a lot of people who, either from vaccination or from having the illness in previous years, were immune."

District Health Boards are advising people to visit their general practitioners in the first instance.

Dr Sherwood advises people to wash their hands often, and stay home if unwell.

Newshub.

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Virus evolution behind spike in flu cases - Newshub