An unusual late-season surge in a severe strain of influenza which mostly impacts the elderly is behind an increase in flu cases across WA in the past two weeks.

The local spike in the A H3N2 subtype of influenza A comes amid warnings that mutations of the virus overseas are behind an early, and potentially “brutal”, flu season in the northern hemisphere.

Infectious disease specialists have urged West Australians travelling to the northern hemisphere in the coming months to consider getting the flu vaccine.

With just one in four people vaccinated against influenza — despite WA’s record-breaking winter — one expert has suggested an enhanced public awareness campaign is needed ahead of next winter.

After reaching a peak of 1704 weekly cases on September 7, influenza notifications hav

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