Influenza (the flu)
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Australian CDC fact sheets
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 circulate seasonally in Queensland. Vaccination, staying home when unwell and practicing good respiratory hygiene can help reduce the spread of illness.
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Influenza occurs year-round but activity typically increases during the cooler months in Queensland.
Most people recover within a week, however influenza can cause severe illness and complications such as pneumonia. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and individuals with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of severe illness.
Annual influenza vaccination is the best protection against severe illness. Influenza vaccines are updated each year to protect against circulating strains.
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Pathology laboratories
- Notification criteria for pathology laboratories (PDF, 55kB)
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
- List of Public Health Unit contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71) (PDF, 77kB) - if faxing notification, follow up by phone.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form (PDF, 504kB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Clinical guidelines
- Queensland Health Infection prevention and control guidance
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
Resources for health professionals
Immunisation
- Queensland Health Immunisation Schedule
- Vaccination Matters Queensland
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
Queensland Health influenza vaccination resources:
Queensland Health 2026 Influenza vaccination advice | Queensland Health
2026 Free Flu Vaccination Program | Queensland Health
The online version of the Australian Immunisation Handbook provides up to date clinical guidelines for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice. Always use the online version to ensure you have the most current information.
Clinical guidance
- Queensland Health Infection prevention and control guidance
- Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI)
Outbreak management guidance
- National guideline for the prevention, control and public health management of outbreaks of acute respiratory infection in RACH | Australian CDC
- Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services
- CDNA Series of National Guidelines (SoNGs) | Australian CDC
Communiques for Queensland Health