Doctors are bracing themselves for the high levels of influenza cases being experienced this year. Queensland already has 1790 recorded flu cases this year, higher than the 343 flu cases last year.

The figures are alarming. The Sunshine coast region has had 81 cases this year, more than any neighboring region. In contrast the Wide Bay Region only has 56, 13 more than the Gold Coast and six more than the Rockhampton, according to a report by the Sunshine Coast Daily.

There could be more cases going unreported as the figures only show patients sick enough to go to hospitals or doctors. Around a quarter of the cases were of the AH1N1 swine flu strain.

To combat the rising flu cases, Queensland Health has urged residents to get their flu vaccinations as soon as possible. This is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women, indigenous people over 15 and those with medical conditions. Queensland Health will be offering free flu vaccinations for people in the mentioned groups, children aged six months to ten years will also be offered free vaccination. The free vaccine will include protection against influenza strain s A H3N2, A H1N1 and an influenza B strain.

Influenza cases have increased due to how quickly it can spread in close contact with other people. Nambour GP Wayne Herdy explained that GP clinics have experienced a five-fold increase in cases in recent weeks "because we are heading indoors and huddling together." Shopping centers and movie cinemas are breeding grounds for influenza cases.

People shouldn't panic though as this epidemic is unlikely to spread across Australia because of the effective vaccination process. Doctors recommend updating their vaccinations to avoid any risk of contracting the flu virus.