The latest Queensland Health data shows 53,572 flu cases have been recorded this year to date, with 88 per cent of cases not vaccinated.

More than 400 public hospital beds across Queensland are occupied by flu, COVID-19 or RSV patients each day, with about two-thirds of these patients being treated for flu.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall said flu continued to circulate widely in the community across all regions and ages.

“Nearly 4,900 people have been diagnosed with influenza in the last week, which is a seven per cent increase compared to the previous week’s total and the highest weekly total recorded this year to date,” Dr McDougall said.

“Currently, an average of 243 public hospital beds are occupied daily by flu patients, with more than half of these patients aged over 65 years.

“Since the start of the year, 5,125 Queenslanders have been hospitalised with flu – with 84 per cent not vaccinated against flu.”

In recent weeks, flu cases and hospitalisations among children have increased with under 5s now having the highest rate of influenza in Queensland per capita. Children aged 5 – 17 years have the second highest rate.

Last week, 34 school aged children were hospitalised for flu. Since the start of the year, more than 420 children aged 5 to 17 years have been hospitalised – with 137 of these hospitalisations occurring in the past month.

Additionally, more than 440 children aged 6 months to four years have been hospitalised with flu this year, with 145 of these hospitalisations occurring in the past month.

“Children are more likely to catch and spread influenza contributing to transmission in the community, but young children are also vulnerable to serious illness from the flu,” she said.

"I want to support parents to prioritise the health of their kids and encourage vaccination as the best way to avoid serious illness and hospitalisation.

“Children aged over 6 months are eligible to be vaccinated, but unfortunately, we’re seeing many children who are not vaccinated being hospitalised.

“Vaccination is very important to protect children from serious illness and complications from the flu. Flu in children can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, especially in very young children.

“Importantly, getting a flu vaccine in pregnancy will help protect babies in the first six months of life.”

Dr McDougall added that while this year’s flu notifications continue to steadily increase, they have not risen as sharply as last year’s cases.

This time last year, flu activity reached its peak with over 8,000 notified cases reported in a single week and an average of 339 public hospital beds occupied daily by flu patients.

“While we’re coming to the end of winter, it’s important not to be complacent. Flu cases and hospitalisations spiked this time last year, so cases and hospitalisations have the potential to continue rising in coming weeks,” Dr McDougall said.

“I continue to remind people it’s not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 – flu continues to spread, and we continue to see increasing demand on our hospitals for flu related illness.   

“One way to help us reduce demand is by getting vaccinated. It’s great that more people are taking action to get vaccinated against flu, with another 12,982 Queenslanders getting vaccinated in the past week.

“Tragically, at least 118 people have died this year from flu related illness – this includes sixteen people aged under 65 years. Many of these deaths could have been prevented through vaccination.

“It’s also important that in addition to vaccination, Queenslanders prioritise good hygiene habits. Washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, staying at home when you are sick and wearing a mask if you are unable to physically distance can help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses.”

RSV cases and hospitalisations have remained steady in the past week. New COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to decrease; however, cases may rise again as new variants circulate.

Queenslanders can receive a free flu vaccination from more than 2,500 community immunisation providers across the state, including GPs, community pharmacies and community clinics.

If you’re due for a COVID-19 booster dose, it can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccination.

Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 surveillance data as of 10 August 2025 is below.

Influenza

This year to date, Queensland has recorded 53,572 cases – 88 per cent of confirmed cases are not vaccinated. Of these cases:

• 5,680 (11 per cent) were aged less than 5 years, while 9,234 (17 per cent) were aged 65 years and over and 25,878 cases (48 per cent) were aged between 18 and 64 years.
• An average of 243 public hospital beds across the state are occupied every day by flu patients in the last week (August 4 – 10), which is up from an average of 227 beds in the previous week (July 28 to August 3).
• There have been 118 flu related deaths this year (1 January – 10 August 2025), compared with 120 deaths during the same period last year (1 January – 10 August 2024).

Currently, 1,684,524 Queenslanders have been vaccinated against flu (up to 10 August 2025), This compares to a total of 1,671,542 in the previous week (up to 3 August 2025).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV notifications have remained steady, with 953 cases notified in the last week.

There have been 22,992 cases reported this year. Of these cases:

• 6,001 (26 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
• 2,637 (11 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 986 (37 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years.
• Hospitalisations have remained steady, with an average of 65 public hospital beds across the state occupied every day by RSV patients in the last week.

COVID-19

COVID-19 notifications have remained steady, with 1,165 COVID-19 cases reported in the last week.

This year to date, 28,628 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:

• 6,910 (24 per cent) were aged 75 years and over
• 5,557 (19 per cent) were admitted to hospital, including 3,545 (64 per cent) aged 65 years and older.
• An average of 96 public hospital beds are occupied daily by COVID-19 patients in the last week.
• 92 per cent of all COVID-19 hospitalisations were not up to date with vaccination.

Further information:

• For weekly updates on the current situation, visit the Queensland Health’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance website.
• Free flu vaccination is available to all Queensland residents aged 6 months or older. More information on the 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program is available on the Queensland Health website.
• Queenslanders are encouraged to consider a COVID-19 booster based on age and risk assessment as well as an annual flu vaccination. More information is available on the Australian Government website.
• The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccination. People should talk to their health provider for more information.
• RSV vaccination is free in Queensland for all expectant mothers during weeks 28 to 36 of pregnancy, and some infants may be eligible for the free infant RSV immunisation. For further information on RSV immunisation eligibility, visit the Queensland Health website
• Further flu vaccination data is available on the Australian Government website.