Australia has defeated the old-age problem of influenza

 Imagine that!  Amazing what you can do with statistics!

No influenza deaths recorded 

in Australia so far this winter

Victoria recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic today, but lockdowns across Australia have led to one death toll staying at zero.

News.com.au,

18 August, 2020

There have been no deaths associated with influenza across Australia so far this winter with authorities noting social distancing, increased testing, hand hygiene and people staying home if they’re sick have all contributed to the dramatic change in figures.

According to the Australian Influenza Surveillance Reports, issued every fortnight by the Department of Health, there were 36 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths for 2020 as of May 17, out of 20,323 cases.

In the latest report, to August 9, this figure remained at 36 out of 21,005 cases reported to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

There have been no deaths reported across June, July or so far for August.

“The flu is easily spread from person to person. Most infections happen in winter,” the health department states.

“Each year, the influenza virus changes and different strains can circulate in the population.”

In a statement to news.com.au today, a Department of Health spokesman said: “There have been no laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths reported to the NNDSS since those reported in the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report number 3, week ending 17 May 2020.”

The NNDSS was notified of 486 influenza-associated deaths out of 214,377 cases by August 11, 2019 – considered a particularly severe flu year.