In Oz

[George K]

Unexpected consequences of lockdowns.

Australia under siege from multiple viruses. Expert says lockdowns have demolished our immunity
Australia is facing a devastating 'multi-demic' assault from a vicious cocktail of viruses attacking the nation, a top medical expert has warned.

The country's defences against a range of different diseases have dropped after Covid lockdowns left Aussies' immune systems untested by common viruses.

Now the rapid spread of killer bugs is being fuelled by cold, damp winter conditions, combined with staff returning to offices and commuting on packed trains and buses.

And that's on top of the new, more infectious Omicron variant BA.5 which is sweeping through the population.

'We're facing a multi-demic of respiratory viruses,' Sydney University infectious disease expert Professor Robert Booy told the Courier-Mail.

'There's three or four of them causing trouble - influenza, RSV, para-influenza, adenovirus, HMPV... there are a lot.

'Because were locked down for two years, the level of natural immunity dropped off against flu and Covid, so we have a lot of cases and deaths due to Omicron and the opening of a society with less natural immunity.

'If you want to spread an infection, you open up society.'

NSW alone is facing a massive outbreak of RSV which can kill infants, with numbers skyrocketing tenfold from 355 to 3775 cases a week in under a month.

Businesses across the east coast have also been decimated by staff falling ill as the range of viruses wreak havoc and spread like wildfire.

Bosses have reported a spike in absenteeism - and work-from-homeism - among staff.

Epidemiologist Professor Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia flu jabs and Covid boosters are essential to stopping the spread, along with the return of widespread mask-wearing.

'In the eastern states of Australia we knew we would have a challenge with the flu,' the Deakin University professor said.

'Not only have people not had it the last two years, it also hasn't been front of mind for vaccination.

'We haven't had that exposure or immunisation in the last two years so people's immune systems are much much weaker.

'We have seen that play out and that is why the flu vaccine is so much more important this year and that's why it has been made freely available.

'I continue to tell anyone who hasn't got it that it is still worth getting.'

Australia recently hit the grim milestone of more than 10,000 Covid-related deaths, with more than 7,000 fatalities in the last six months alone.

Prof Bennett said good hygiene and face masks are vital to avoid getting sick while returning to normal life.

'While the exposure risk is so high as Covid and flu continue to spread, you get more bang for your buck practising good hygiene and wearing a face mask,' she said.

'Masks are so worth it. While it isn't going to absolutely stop you from getting it, by wearing a mask you are protecting yourself, others and are subconsciously more aware of keeping your distance from others.'

Prof Bennett also said it is important people on public transport abide by the rules and wear their masks - as well as keeping work areas well-ventilated.