Queensland respiratory infection update 17 july
17 Jul 2025
The latest Queensland Health data shows that flu hospitalisations have significantly increased over the past week, with more people currently being hospitalised with flu than COVID-19.
More than 250 people were hospitalised with flu in Queensland last week (July 7-13), with an average of 169 public hospital beds across the state occupied daily by patients with flu. This is up from 131 beds in the previous week (June 30 - July 6).
In addition, more than 190 people were hospitalised with COVID-19 in Queensland last week, with an average of 149 hospital beds occupied by patients with COVID-19.
Since the start of the year, nearly 3,600 people have been hospitalised with flu – with 90 per cent of patients not vaccinated. This year’s flu hospitalisations are nearly 16 per cent higher than the same period last year (between 1 January and 13 July 2024, 3,088 people were hospitalised).
Flu cases are continuing to rise across the state, with 3,313 cases recorded in the past week. This is the highest number of flu cases recorded in a single week this year to date.
It is not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. Queenslanders can still 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.
Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation and helps to stop transmission.
Queenslanders are reminded to prioritise good hygiene habits such as washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or inside of your arm and staying at home when you are sick to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 surveillance data as of 13 July 2025 is below.
Influenza
This year to date, Queensland has recorded 36,131 cases.
Influenza activity is increasing, with year-to-date (YTD) case counts 16 per cent higher than the same period last year (31,161 cases were recorded between 1 January and 13 July 2024).
Of these cases:
- 3,712 (10 per cent) were aged less than 5 years, while 6,505 (18 per cent) were aged 65 years and over.
- 3,578 people have been hospitalised this YTD with the flu (181 people in hospital with influenza as on 13 July 2025). Of these hospitalisations, 1,679 (47 per cent) were aged 65 years and older. More than 340 children aged under five have been hospitalised with flu.
- There have been 84 flu related deaths this year.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV notifications have remained steady, with 805 cases notified in the last week.
There have been 955 fewer RSV hospitalisations among infants under 6 months of age since Queensland’s RSV Prevention Program commenced in April 2024 than would otherwise have been expected.
There have been 19,114 cases reported this year. Of these cases:
- 5,134 (27 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
- 2,229 (12 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 857 (38 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years. As on 13 July 2025, 46 people were in hospital with RSV.
COVID-19
COVID-19 notifications have remained steady, with 1,232 COVID-19 cases reported in the last week.
This year to date, 23,828 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:
- 5,917 (25 per cent) were aged 75 years and over.
- 4,851 (20 per cent) were admitted to hospital, including 3,137 (65 per cent) aged 65 years and older. As on 13 July 2025, 151 people were in hospital with COVID-19.
Further information:
- For further information on respiratory illness case numbers, 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.
- As of 13 July 2025, 1.6 million Queenslanders have received this year’s influenza vaccine. This includes 55,078 children aged under five, 913,677 people aged five to 64 years, and 645,622 people aged 65 years and over. More information is available on the Australian Government website.
- Less than 18 per cent of children aged under five are protected against flu. Children are more likely to catch and spread influenza contributing to transmission in the community. Young children are also more vulnerable to serious illness from the flu. As school resumes this week, it’s important to keep kids home if they’re unwell to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses.
- 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 eligibility, visit the Queensland Health website.
- Vaccination during pregnancy protects infants against serious illness from RSV from birth and up to six months of age.
