Nathan Bartlett, University of Newcastle We’re in the midst of a bad cold and flu season in Australia. Along with the usual viral suspects, such as influenza, RSV, and rhinoviruses (which cause the common cold), bacterial pathogens are also causing ...

NSW is headed for a “more severe flu season than usual” with the state recording a 25 per cent week-on-week surge in cases. The latest NSW Health Respiratory Surveillance Report detailed a 22 per cent jump in people presenting to ...

The Health and Aged Care Minister announced a new initiative to expand access to flu vaccinations across aged care homes. Speaking to the press on Saturday, Mark Butler emphasised the importance of proactive health measures following a surge of flu ...

In Australia, influenza-associated mortality and hospitalisation rates are highest among older adults aged over 65 years. It is estimated that each year, flu causes more than 3000 deaths and more than 13,500 hospitalisations among Australians aged over 50 years. Influenza ...

Free vaccinations will roll out for Queenslanders amid a spike in cases across the state, with calls for aged care staff, residents, and visitors to get vaccinated. Starting this weekend, Queenslanders will be eligible for free influenza vaccination at GPs ...

New revisions changing visitor rules in Australia's aged care homes have been released by industry peak bodies. Hailed as being 'the right balance', Council on the Ageing's revised code has been updated to protect against the risk of infections and ...

Australia is facing a sharp rise in influenza cases across several states, including New South Wales and Queensland, putting health authorities on alert. While the number of active Covid cases in Australian aged care facilities decreased by 35 per cent compared ...

Healthcare experts have flagged the aged care sector at severe risk this winter as flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases spike over February and March. Cases of influenza and RSV have grown across northern hemisphere nations since the start ...

Aged care homes could face a longer and more impactful flu season this year, an infectious disease professor has warned, as flu cases in Australia begin to surge. Nearly 8,500 flu cases have been confirmed in Australia since the start ...

The federal government has unveiled its plan to safeguard aged care homes from rising Omicron and influenza cases as defence force support and restrictions wind back. Last week, aged care minister Anika Wells met with aged care commissioner Janet Anderson, ...