The latest Queensland Health data shows that flu hospitalisations continued to increase in the past week and are currently 13 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
Flu cases and hospitalisations are likely to continue to increase in coming weeks, with the peak yet to be reached.
A total of 3,650 flu cases were recorded last week (July 14-20). This is the highest number of flu cases recorded in a single week this year to date.
More than 270 people were hospitalised with flu in Queensland last week (July 14-20), with an average of 184 public hospital beds across the state occupied daily by patients with flu. This is up from 169 beds in the previous week (July 7-13).
Since the start of the year, 3,915 people have been hospitalised with flu – with 88 per cent of patients not vaccinated. This includes 382 children aged under five years, 305 children aged five to 17 years, 1,398 people aged 18 to 64 years and 1,830 people aged over 65 years.
Additionally, a total of 182 people were hospitalised with COVID-19 in Queensland last week, with an average of 141 hospital beds occupied by patients with COVID-19.
More than 70 people were also hospitalised with RSV last week, with RSV patients occupying an average of 53 hospital beds between July 14-20.
It is not too late to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. 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.
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.
Vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and hospitalisation and helps to stop the chain of 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 20 July 2025 is below.
Influenza
This year to date, Queensland has recorded 39,918 cases – 91 per cent of confirmed cases are not vaccinated.
Influenza activity is increasing, with year-to-date (YTD) case counts 13 per cent higher than the same period last year (35,216 cases were recorded between 1 January and 20 July 2024).
Of these cases:
- 4,164 (10 per cent) were aged less than 5 years, while 7,121 (18 per cent) were aged 65 years and over. More than 19,400 cases (49 per cent) were aged between 18 and 64 years.
- 3,915 people have been hospitalised this YTD with the flu (195 people in hospital with influenza as on 20 July 2025). Of these hospitalisations, 1,830 (47 per cent) were aged 65 years and older and 1,398 (36 per cent) were aged between 18 and 64 years.
- There have been 91 flu related deaths this year.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV notifications have remained steady, with 921 cases notified in the last week.
There have been 973 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 20,058 cases reported this year. Of these cases:
- 5,356 (27 per cent) were children aged less than 2 years.
- 2,327 (12 per cent) were admitted to hospital, with 890 (38 per cent) of these aged less than 2 years. As on 20 July 2025, 52 people were in hospital with RSV.
COVID-19
COVID-19 notifications have remained steady, with 1,195 COVID-19 cases reported in the last week.
This year to date, 25,070 cases have been recorded. Of these cases:
- 6,207 (25 per cent) were aged 75 years and over.
- 5,050 (20 per cent) were admitted to hospital, including 3,262 (65 per cent) aged 65 years and older. As on 20 July 2025, 147 people were in hospital with COVID-19.
- 92 per cent of all COVID-19 hospitalisations are not up to date with vaccination.
Further information
- For weekly updates on the current situation, visit the Queensland Health’s Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance.
- 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.