Australian influenza crisis: 43 dead as killer virus spreads – "critical" warning issued | World | New

The drop in temperatures caused 1,843 cases of influenza throughout the Australian state during the week ending May 26, as well as 43 deaths. This year's record has so far exceeded the total number of deaths from influenza in 2018, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. The total number of confirmed cases since January is now 16,153.

This number is just below the total of 17,439 for the year 2018, when 40 people died of the flu.

Dr. Vicky Sheppeard, NSW Health's Director of Communicable Diseases, said, "It is essential to get the flu shot to reduce the risk of getting the potentially lethal virus, especially since it takes about two weeks for the vaccine offers complete protection. "

It is thought that the number of people this year could become even higher as temperatures continue to drop throughout the state.

NSW Health has urged residents to be vaccinated against influenza during the crisis, while also warning those at higher risk of influenza, such as the elderly and very young children.

However, pharmacies are exhausted or lacking vaccines due to rising demand.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has announced the creation of 400,000 additional vaccines, which have been ordered from the Sanofi manufacturer and will be available in the coming weeks.

No child has died of influenza in New South Wales, but three have it in Victoria and an unconfirmed number in Queensland.

In 2017, two children under five died of the flu and four, and between five and 19 years old in New South Wales.

Two children under five died of the flu in the state in 2018.

The US-based Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently ranked influenza among the top eight deadly diseases.

In a CDC report, he also named the plague and rabies after a Norwegian woman died of the disease in the Philippines.

The report raises awareness about zoonoses, diseases that can quickly pbad from animals to humans.

Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, director of the One Health Office of the CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia, told Express.co.uk, "All of these diseases are worrisome.

"They are present in the United States, but also pose problems in other areas."