Respiratory infections in New Zealand appear to have gotten a head start this season

Acute respiratory disease hospitalisations in Auckland are up 13-percent compared to last year.

Data from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research shows severe respiratory illness admissions reached their highest in almost a decade last year.

Malaghan Institute's Professor Graham Le Gros says it's not great, and creates a challenge for hospitals.

Le Gros says it's difficult for nurses, doctors, and patients, who have to be kept in isolation while feeling really sick.