THE south-west is bucking a national trend with cases of influenza on the same time last year.
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This comes after the department of health released data showing rising influenza rates nationally.
Across Australia, more than 71,256 lab-confirmed cases of the flu have been recorded this year, twice as many reported to the same stage last year.
But figures from South West Healthcare (SWH) show influenza numbers in the region are down on 2016.
Last year, 57 cases of influenza A and seven cases of influenza B were reported.
The 2017 year-to-date numbers are 27 for influenza A and four for influenza B.
The winter rates provide an even clearer picture with 50 cases of influenza A and seven of influenza B recorded in 2016, compared with 24 and four so far in 2017.
These statistics come from Warrnambool Base Hospital and its emergency department and from Camperdown Hospital and its urgent care centre.
SWH director of infection prevention and control Mark Page said an increase in people having the influenza vaccination has played a major role in the reduction.
“The government did a good job promoting the flu vaccination in the community,” Dr Page said.
“I think the community have become more accepting that having the flu vaccination does not mean they will catch something else.
“The GPs have done a great job educating the community about the merits of the flu vaccination.
“The vaccination is also free to certain demographics, including over 65s and pregnant women.”
Dr Page said influenza hit hard for the first 72 hours with a full recovery taking up to two weeks.