Four-year-old dies from common illness as cases skyrocket

A four-year-old boy has died from the flu with health authorities urging Australians to get vaccinated.

The boy died at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne’s north-east on June 10 and was laid to rest at a funeral on Tuesday.

Influenza cases have increased across all age groups, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker urged parents to take their children to get a free flu vaccine.

‘We’re expecting flu cases to keep rising in the weeks ahead so it’s critical people book in their flu vaccination now, particularly for those groups at higher risk of severe illness such as children,’ she said. 

‘Flu is highly contagious and while most people may only experience mild to moderate symptoms, for some it can be deadly.’ 

Only 23 per cent of Victorians under the age of five have been vaccinated this year.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough and body aches.

Tiredness, chills, sore throat, loss of appetite and a runny or stuffy nose are among the other symptoms.

Vaccinations for influenza are recommended for anyone six months and older, and are free for those considered to be at higher risk thanks to the National Immunisation Program.

Those considered to be at risk include children aged six months to under five years old, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, people aged 65 and over, and people with medical conditions.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the number of deaths from influenza as of March 2024 is 59, 20 of those deaths in NSW, 12 in Victoria and 16 in Queensland.

Thanks to a new test, Aussies who come down with a sniffle will know within 24 hours whether it’s the flu, Covid, a common cold or one of 14 different respiratory viruses.

The results of the pathology test will allow people to act quickly to purchase antiviral medication that could shorten the length and severity of the flu or Covid. 

Click here to resize this module