Flu-like illness consultations in the South have surged, the rate tripling within a week, the latest ESR flu report shows.
In the week to July 22, the South had about 180 presentations for flu-like illness per 100,000 people, about three times more than the previous week.
The national average was
108.5 presentations, compared with 102.8 the previous week.
However, the number of confirmed flu viruses in the South remained minuscule, whereas Canterbury DHB has had nearly 600 this year.
Mornington Health Centre nurse supervisor Liz Medlin said the flu season had finally started, "even later" than last year.
