Severe respiratory illness rates are now the highest they've been in the last decade, mostly because of the flu. 

It comes as ambulance services struggle to meet demand, and Health NZ urges people to save emergency departments for emergencies. 

RNZ reported this week that hospitals have even created dedicated flu wards and some elective surgery is being cancelled as influenza A hits the health system. 

So, why has this flu season been so late, so sharp, and so severe – and what does it mean for our hospitals, our most vulnerable, and the rest of winter? 

Today on The Front Page, University of Otago epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker is with us to break down what’s driving this surge and what all of us can do to stay well and keep pressure off the health system.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee