Adelaide: Flu cases have reached a nearly five-year high in South Australia, with over 10,000 reported this year.

According to Anadolu Agency, the number of flu cases in South Australia increased by 70% this year to 10,569 from 6,212 the previous year. Last week, 1,627 flu cases were reported, marking the highest number in a single week in the last five years.

The sharp increase in cases has raised concerns about the health system's ability to handle more hospital presentations, as hospitalized flu cases have risen to 1,042 this year, compared to 673 at this point in 2024. "Clearly our health system's under pressure," Health Minister Chris Picton stated.

Although high-risk groups received free vaccinations in March, the local government announced on Friday that young children would also receive free flu vaccinations beginning next week. "We haven't had access to the national immunization free flu vaccine at our pharmacies for under five-year-olds-until today," Picton mentioned.

Picton also highlighted the impact of flu cases on the workforce. "And also, we've seen more absences in terms of many of those workplaces because the workers themselves have the flu," he said, adding that the illness is affecting hospital staff as well.