Eight cases of the H1N1 virus, known as swine flu, have been confirmed in Otago and Southland so far this winter.
Nationally, there have been five deaths related to the H1N1 virus this year but in the South none of the eight people affected became ill enough to require treatment in intensive care.
Otago and Southland medical officer of health, Dr Marion Poore, said the level of influenza-like illness in the Southern district had risen in the past seven days from 60 to 80 consultations per 100,000 people. A similar peak was recorded in late July.
The rate was expected to continue to increase during the next few weeks, she said.
Although the new H1N1 virus predominated, other influenza viruses were also circulating.
Doctors' practices were coping with the numbers.
"We are taking a business-as-usual approach at this time, because the pattern and level of illness is consistent with what normally happens at this time of year," Dr Poore said.
The World Health Organisation had now moved to a post-pandemic phase, because the new H1N1 virus was behaving as a seasonal influenza virus. However, localised outbreaks might still happen, she said.
Nationally, rates of influenza-like illness had been increasing and had doubled in the past week from 77 to 140 per 100,000 people.
Rates of illness were highest for children under 14, and more than doubled in the past week.
Uptake of the influenza vaccine in the Southern district had increased from 63,850 doses at June 30 last year to 69,740 by June 30, this year. About 50% of health board hospital employees had been vaccinated this year.
The groups most at risk of developing serious complications from this year's pandemic strain of influenza were children and young people, those of any age with underlying chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women, she said.
Basic ways to reduce levels of the illness were regular hand washing and drying, covering coughs and for people to stay home when sick.
