# 3466
Those of us in the northern hemisphere are watching what is happening with this pandemic virus south of the equator with great interest because it may give us some idea of what we can expect this fall and winter.
Already the novel H1N1 virus seems to be supplanting the seasonal flu virus in many countries in the southern hemisphere, and we are seeing reports of highly stressed health care services.
The other big impact is employee absenteeism, which is soaring in Australia. One person in ten is off work due to the flu, and that number is expected to rise over the next few weeks.
This report from the Daily Telegraph.
Absenteeism at record levels in Australia due to flu
HEALTH authorities have lost the battle against swine flu, conceding it now makes up about 60 per cent of all influenza cases.
And it is only going to get worse as businesses already feeling the impact brace for bigger numbers in staff absenteeism.
Just this week 1000 people have already been diagnosed with the flu in NSW, The Daily Telegraph reports.
It is expected to be the worst flu season on record with numbers expected to skyrocket in coming weeks.
Health experts yesterday warned workplaces will be hard hit with every worker off at least twice this winter with flu symptoms.
Currently 100 out of every 1000 workers are off sick - an increase of 20 per cent from last year with predictions the number could spike to as much as 60 per cent.
Swine flu is now the dominant virus, accounting for two thirds of all flu cases in NSW. However, it is feared the state could follow Victoria, where 90 per cent of all flu cases are swine flu.
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