Australia warned people to prevent this year's flu season

On March 14, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) warned people in Western Australia (WA) to take precautions for the worst flu season in recent years.

AMA said a "very serious" strain of influenza virus has spread from abroad into eastern Australian states and this deadly virus will soon spread to WA.

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Recent figures from the Queensland state health agency show that the number of hospitalized flu cases has increased sharply, most of the cases have signs of infection with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

West Australian President AMA Richard Choong said the dry summer is the main reason why WA is not so badly affected by the flu this year. However, any traveler coming to WA may bring the flu virus, and it is only a matter of time before the number of hospitalized flu cases increases.

According to AMA, the number of flu cases has increased dramatically five times this year average, with more than 2500 cases across Australia. Pandemic flu and its impact on people's health, especially the elderly, have claimed the lives of about 2800 people in Australia each year.

Choong called on all Western Australians, especially those at high risk of infection, to actively take the flu during this year's flu season and get the flu if possible.