CANBERRA, Australia -- The impact of influenza A/H1N1 flu on Australian hospitals is beginning to emerge as revealed by a research conducted by the Medical Journal of Australia (MJA).
The research found that patients in need of hospital treatment for flu-like disease during a three month period up to August rose to 2,378 cases across 35 hospitals in northern New South Wales (NSW) this year.
The figure increased as compared to the 1,267 cases documented last year and 1,736 cases in 2007, throughout the Hunter New England Area Health Service (HNEAHS).
According to the findings of the research paper, the HNEAHS experienced an abrupt and early increase in hospitalizations for acute respiratory disease, coinciding with the emergence of the influenza A/H1N1 virus.
The proponents of the research also warned that additional medical surveillance was needed as more flu cases, more young people affected and an earlier peak, could likewise occur in Australia during next year's winter.
In a letter published online with the report, Dr. Patrick Charles and colleagues said that the A/H1N1 flu had spread to over 160 countries since it was uncovered in Mexico in April.
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