Queensland flu cases spike, with school-aged children among hardest hit
Cases from January to May this year are 36 per cent up from the same time last year, and are more than double the five-year average.
Health department data shows more than 18,400 influenza cases have been recorded since the start of the year.
One in three of those affected were under 17 years old and one in 10 were under five.
Influenza A arrived at the Whelan family's home on the Sunshine Coast last month, infecting mum Meah along with her two young sons.
Toddler Harrison's case was particularly intense.
Ms Whelan said the one-year-old was left with a "croup-like cough" and was battling to breathe as his tiny body fought the flu.
"He was struggling to breathe at times, and it's really frightening as a parent to see your baby like that," she said.
Harrison's five-year-old brother Oliver missed two weeks of school, and took another two weeks to fully recover.
Ms Whelan said the boys were left bedridden with high fevers, intense body aches and persistent coughs.
Her husband James, a paramedic, helped them endure their sickest days.
"I was very lucky and grateful that he didn't catch it, as he was able to monitor us and care for the boys at home," Ms Whelan said.
More than 2,000 people have been admitted to hospital for the flu in Queensland so far this year, with about half over 65.
The spike in infections is partly driven by the rising number of influenza B cases, which are up four-fold.
A total of 2,679 infections have been diagnosed, compared to 733 by the middle of May last year.
Queensland flu cases overall in 2024 peaked in late July, when they topped 8,000 in a single week, marking the worst flu season in years.
But week-to-week figures in recent months have been consistently higher.
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Nick Yim said the numbers were concerning.
"Influenza infections are trending above where they were in 2024, which was already our worst year for flu cases since the COVID-19 pandemic," Dr Yim said.
He said the timing of the increase was also critical, as May was seen as a tipping point in the flu season, when cases began to rise as the weather cooled.
"We know from reports from the Northern Hemisphere that we are at risk of a very bad flu season," Dr Yim said.
University of Queensland infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist Paul Griffin said the current surge in cases may reflect changes in flu patterns since the arrival of COVID-19.
"This year has been really remarkable for the very high inter-seasonal levels," Professor Griffin said.
Professor Griffin said increases in international travel, changes in population immunity, and a drop-off in basic infection control could all be contributing.
He said people were doing less to protect themselves from infection.
"People are less likely to stay home when unwell, and we've seen a decline in hand hygiene, mask use, and ventilation," Professor Griffin said.
He also warned that the combination of flu, COVID-19 and RSV could place a "very significant burden" on the healthcare system.
Dr Yim said families needed to consider having the state's free flu vaccine, which had already been given to one million people this year.
"The good news is we can prevent a winter spike by increasing vaccination rates," he said.
Dr Yim urged all Queenslanders to see their GP or health provider to be vaccinated — especially those in high-risk categories.
"This is critical for older Queenslanders and the very young, but it's important to remember even those in general good health can be seriously affected by influenza," he said.
"The flu shot is safe, free and protects you against the most recent strains of the disease."
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