New Zealand's flu season could stretch well into spring, doctors have warned, following a late surge in influenza cases.
Specialist GP Dr Bryan Betty said practices were seeing a significant increase in influenza cases around the country at a point in the year when the season might normally be expected to ease.
"We seem to have had a very late influenza season this year and what we are seeing is a very large uptake in the number of influenza cases around the country," Betty told 1News.
"We are seeing this very late surge in influenza cases, which may actually run into spring at this point."
The effects are being felt in classrooms too.
At Auckland's Point Chevalier School, 65 students were away sick today. Principal Stephen Lethbridge said that number had peaked at around 140 students several weeks ago, while about 100 were absent on a single day last week.
Lethbridge said most of the cases were influenza A.
The illness has also been spreading among staff, creating another problem for schools already dealing with high student absences.
"Principals are having trouble finding relief teachers sometimes, and when that happens, classes are obviously joining together, and senior leaders are having to go in and teach class."
Some students at Point Chevalier School have begun wearing masks, while the school has increased cleaning and sanitising and is encouraging parents to keep children home when they are unwell.
Lethbridge said schools were normally focused on getting children into classrooms, but illness required a different approach.
"Attendance at school is important, and we're always encouraging our children to attend school.
"But when we get illnesses like this, it makes sense just to stay home, get over the contagious period, and then get back to school when they're ready."
Hospitals record some of winter's highest demand
The surge in illness is also putting pressure on hospitals, with Health New Zealand saying emergency departments are experiencing some of their highest demand this winter.
On Monday alone, 5341 people presented to emergency departments nationwide.
Across the first three days of last week, EDs recorded 15,123 presentations, up from 13,863 during the same three days the previous week – an increase of about 9%.
Health NZ executive regional director central Chris Lowry said hospitals were facing a combination of increased patient demand and staff sickness.
"Our hospital EDs are seeing increased demand, particularly this week. Some of our hospitals have also been impacted by staff sickness," he said.
"High demand combined with staff sickness does create pressure in our EDs however we have contingency plans in place to ensure care continues to be delivered safely."
Health NZ said dedicated wards had been established for flu patients, with 103 additional hospital beds opened and up to 163 'flex beds' available if needed.
It has also hired, offered positions to, or arranged additional duties and overtime covering 337 full-time-equivalent hospital staff as part of its $25 million Winter Plan.
'Not too late' to get vaccinated
Health NZ also confirmed Influenza A is the most common flu strain circulating this year and is covered by the 2026 vaccine.
Chief advisor for the National Immunisation Programme, Emma Prestidge, said it was not too late for people to get vaccinated.
"Now is a timely reminder that immunisation is best protection against influenza. It's not too late to get the flu vaccine and help protect yourself and those around you."
She said while influenza could be mild for some people, it could cause serious illness and hospitalisation in otherwise healthy people.
"The annual flu vaccine prevents serious illness, reduces hospitalisations, and protects vulnerable whānau, including babies and the elderly."
Pressure spreads through health system
The ambulance service recorded more than 16,000 calls last week. (Source: 1News)
The surge comes as pressure continues to build elsewhere in the health system.
Hato Hone St John recorded its busiest-ever day for ambulance calls on Friday, with 2606 calls through 111, surpassing the previous record of 2562 set just six days earlier. Its Level 1 major incident declaration remains in place.
The greatest pressure is being felt in Auckland, particularly during evenings and overnight. The region accounted for 29.5% of emergency ambulance incidents nationwide over the past week.
St John stressed there was no single cause behind the increase, saying winter demand reflected a combination of seasonal respiratory illness, existing health conditions, injuries and other emergencies. Fever, infections and other illnesses have been among the common reasons people have sought an ambulance over the past fortnight.
Flu-related hospitalisations in Auckland have also doubled in the space of a week.
Despite the late stage of winter, Betty said people who had not yet been vaccinated should not assume they had missed their chance.
"It's not too late to get the flu jab and in fact at our clinic today we've been giving the flu jabs to two people who want them."
With the current surge potentially extending into spring, he said vaccination could still provide protection against influenza.
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