This follows the serious outbreak of influenza in New Zealand which has caused widespread illness in children with three deaths.

"Australia´s influenza season tends to follow that of New Zealand," said Mr Alan Hampson, Deputy Director of the WHO Influenza Centre in Melbourne and convenor of the ISG. "And we expect incidence of the disease to increase over the next few weeks."

"Children appear to be particularly susceptible to the strain of influenza B currently circulating in New Zealand because there has been little circulation of related viruses in recent years and children born after 1987 have little immunity to it," Mr Hampson said.

Influenza is characterised by a sudden onset of extremely severe and debilitating symptoms, which include fever and /or chills, body aches and pains, fatigue, cough and headache.

Vaccination is recommended for people of all ages who are at high-risk, such as those with heart disease, asthma and other lung disease, diabetes, kidney problems and those with weakened immune systems, including children from the age of six months.

Parents are being advised, if their child has a risk condition and has not yet been vaccinated against influenza, they should visit their GP for a vaccination as soon as possible.

"There is a significant need for heightened awareness of severe complications and deaths associated with influenza among children," said Professor Robert Booy, Infectious Diseases Specialist and Epidemiologist, The Children´s Hospital at Westmead.

While vaccination remains the primary means of preventing influenza, health experts are also encouraging greater use of the antiviral medications, to minimise complications from influenza and the spread of the disease in the community.

Treatment with antiviral medications must be started within 48 hours of a person becoming ill, and preferably within 24 hours.

Parents should watch out for early signs of influenza in their children such as high fevers and cough, when influenza activity begins in their area.

If they are concerned about their child, especially if the child is at high risk of complications from influenza, then they should see their doctor as quickly as possible to discuss treatment.

Parents should also be diligent in ensuring that aspirin is not given to children suffering influenza, although it is appropriate to administer paracetamol.

Specific antiviral medications can be used in children over one year and are now available in a new liquid form.

In fact, studies in children show that early treatment with antiviral medication results in them recovering faster, the illness not being as severe, and it being less likely that the doctor will have to prescribe antibiotics.

It is estimated that between 20 and 43 per cent of children are infected with influenza each year. This is substantially higher in epidemic years, and among certain populations such as children in day care.

Young children shed larger quantities of influenza virus for longer periods of time than do older children and adults, and this may contribute to the spread of influenza within a community or household.

"All high-risk children who have not yet been vaccinated should be as soon as possible, and doctors should seriously consider treating children with influenza-like symptoms with suitable antiviral medication, particularly those who are at risk of hospitalisation," said Professor Booy.

Influenza updates for Australia and New Zealand (new 6.7.05)

Influenza activity in Australia has been mild to date however it is increasing in Victoria and there has also been a significant outbreak of influenza in Townsville, Queensland that was due to influenza A(H3). In Victoria all 3 types/subtypes (A(H1), A(H3) and B) of influenza are circulating currently while the the rest of the country has a mixture of A(H3) and B viruses or only A(H3) viruses at this stage. Overall from viruses typed at the Centre Australia shows 13% A(H1) 59% A(H3) and 28% B viruses. The lineage of B viruses which have been most commonly seen to date in Australia are B/Shanghai/361/2002-like (70.5%) with fewer B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like viruses (29.5%).

In contrast New Zealand has had and is still experiencing high levels of influenza well above the levels seen in 2004. The epidemic has mainly been due to influenza B (94%) with some A(H3) (6%). Both lineages of influenza B are circulating with 80.5% of typed viruses being B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like and 19.5% B/Shanghai/361/2002-like. Three deaths have also been reported from children infected with influenza B.