Australia’s disastrous influenza season claimed another victim over the weekend—mother-of-two, Jennifer Thew.
The Canberra medical receptionist from Gungahlin passed away following a week-long battle with the virus, which she fought alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Estella.
She tragically died from acute respiratory distress syndrome amid the worst flu season the Australian Capital Territory’s seen in five years.
Australia’s disastrous influenza season claimed another victim over the weekend—mother-of-two, Jennifer Thew (pictured)
Ms Thew was reportedly known throughout the community to have always put the needs of her children first, even in the week leading up to her heartbreaking death.
‘She always went above and beyond for those around her,’ someone close to the loving mother told the Daily Telegraph.
Her daughter’s dance school has established a Go Fund Me account in support of the family and offered Estella free tuition for the final term.
The horror season has swept the nation with more than 137,500 influenza cases confirmed up to the start of September.
The Canberra medical receptionist from Gungahlin passed away following a week-long battle with the virus, which she fought alongside her seven-year-old daughter, Estella (pictured)
The amount is more than double the 53,159 cases of the same time last year and more than the total amount, 83,092, for the entire season of 2016.
New South Wales has the most reported cases nationwide by the September 1, with 70,000 people affected.
More than 35,000 cases had been confirmed in Queensland, and at least 13,000 cases have been reported in Victoria, leading to a national shortage in the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu.
An eight-year-old girl passed away in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully earlier in the month.
An eight-year-old girl passed away in the Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully at the Angliss Hospital (pictured) earlier in the month
Her death followed the passing of a 30-year-old Victorian bottle shop worker, who died on what was to be his first Father’s Day as a parent.
Ben Ihlow tragically died on September 3 after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew.
The father-to-be was suffering from a ‘bit of a bug’ in the week beforehand, then was taken to hospital on Friday before tragically dying on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a 33-year-old is in a critical condition at Alfred Hospital, Victoria, and is yet to hold her baby boy, who was born August 28.
Ben Ihlow (pictured) tragically died on September 3 after a week-long battle with the flu, leaving behind his wife, Samantha and 10-month-old son, Andrew
The father-to-be was suffering from a ‘bit of a bug’ in the week beforehand, then was taken to hospital on Friday before tragically dying on Sunday
Sarah and Rob Hawthorn’s son was delivered six weeks early to give Mrs Hawthorn a fighting chance at survival.
The Cobram mother, north of Victoria, caught the flu in her later stages of pregnancy, which has lead to other serious medical conditions.
The Australian Medical Association says cases of influenza could be expected for at least the next two months.
Australians exceeding 80-years-old, along with children between ages five to nine, have been the worst affected.
33-year-old Sarah Hawthorn (pictured) is in a critical condition at Alfred Hospital, Victoria, and is yet to hold her baby boy, who was born August 28
Sarah and Rob Hawthorn’s son was delivered six weeks early to give Mrs Hawthorn a fighting chance at survival