Respiratory Infection Situation Update – Queensland
10 Jul 2025
Flu cases are continuing to rise across the state, with more than 3,050 cases recorded in the past week.
This is the highest number of flu cases recorded in a single week this year to date.
More than 210 people have been hospitalised for flu in the past week. More than 90 per cent of hospitalised flu cases this year were unvaccinated.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Heidi Carroll said there had been a recent increase in hospital bed occupancy for people diagnosed with the flu.
“Last week, an average of 129 beds were occupied daily by patients hospitalised with the flu. In the week prior, an average of 112 beds were occupied daily by flu patients,” Dr Carroll said.
“We are expecting flu hospitalisations to overtake COVID-19 hospitalisations in coming weeks.
“There was an average of 165 beds occupied by people hospitalised with COVID-19 across the state last week.”
Dr Carroll said an increase in flu cases was expected among school aged kids when school resumes next week.
“Children are more likely to catch and spread influenza contributing to transmission in the community, but also young children are vulnerable to serious illness from the flu,” Dr Carroll said.
“While more than 32,600 lab confirmed flu cases have been recorded in Queensland this year – we know the actual number of flu cases in the community are much higher – and flu is spreading.”
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 acute respiratory illnesses.
Dr Carroll also issued a further reminder for Queenslanders to take advantage of free flu vaccination.
“Vaccination is the best defence against winter viruses to stop the chain of transmission and prevent serious illness,” Dr Carroll said.
“Flu vaccination rates in Queensland are now lower than national flu vaccination coverage rates for all age groups – despite free flu vaccination being available.
“If you haven’t been vaccinated against flu this season – I encourage you to consider vaccination. Getting vaccinated may mean you avoid serious illness or hospitalisation this flu season.
“The reality is that people can get very sick from the flu – and we’ve seen 84 flu related deaths this year. We don’t want to see any more flu related deaths this year.
“And it’s not only older people who are hospitalised from the flu – more than 1,150 people aged between 18 and 64 years have been hospitalised because of the flu this year.
“Additionally, 12 people aged between 18 and 64 years have passed away from the flu this year.”
Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 surveillance data as of 6 July 2025 is below. For further details and weekly updates on the current situation, please visit Queensland Health’s Acute respiratory infection surveillance reporting website.
Influenza
This year to date, Queensland has recorded 32,679 cases.
Influenza activity is increasing, with year-to-date (YTD) case counts 17 per cent higher than the same period last year (27,827 cases were recorded between 1 January and 6 July 2024).
Of these cases:
- 3,257 (10 per cent) were aged less than 5 years, while 5,963 (18 per cent) were aged 65 years and over.
- 3,260 people have been hospitalised this YTD with the flu (152 people in hospital with influenza as on 6 July 2025). Of these hospitalisations, 1,548 (47 per cent) were aged 65 years and older.
- There have been 84 flu related deaths this year.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV notifications have remained steady, with 880 cases notified in the last week.
There have been 943 fewer RSV hospitalisations among infants under 6 months of age since the RSV prevention program commenced in April 2024 than would otherwise have been expected.
There have been 18,289 cases reported this year. Of these cases:
- 4,925 (27 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
- 2,138 (12 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 837 (39 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years. As on 6 July 2025, 41 people were in hospital with RSV.
COVID-19
COVID-19 notifications have remained steady, with 1,217 COVID-19 cases reported in the last week.
To date, 22,553 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:
- 5,588 (25 per cent) were aged 75 years and over.
- 4,637 (21 per cent) were admitted to hospital, including 2,998 (65 per cent) aged 65 years and older. As on 6 July 2025, 153 people were in hospital with COVID-19.
Further information:
- 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.
- Flu vaccination is free and widely available through more than 2,500 community immunisation providers, including GPs, community pharmacies and community clinics, for all Queensland residents aged 6 months or older. More information on the 2025 Free Flu Vaccination Program is available on the Queensland Health website.
- 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.
