The New South Wales (NSW) branch of the Australian Medical Association on Thursday warned of a possible surge in A/H1N1 flu cases as Australians who live abroad return to spend Christmas and the New Year period with family.

NSW branch president Dr Brian Morton said Australians should to protect themselves ahead of the holiday season, by taking advantage of the free A/H1N1 flu vaccine now available.

The northern hemisphere winter was generating a second wave of A/H1N1 flu, he said, and it was only a matter of time before the disease re-emerged in Australia.

"Christmas is a special time of year when many expatriate Australians return home from overseas to spend time with family and friends," Morton said in a statement.

"Many people, however, may unwittingly be bringing flu back with them, as they may be coming from a country, which is straight out of the northern flu season."

The A/H1N1 flu vaccine is being provided free of charge by the federal government and is available from local general practitioners to adults and children as young as six months old.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2009)