Queensland Records Worst Flu Year in Over a Decade as Cases Surge Statewide
Queensland has recorded its worst flu year in more than a decade, with confirmed cases surging across almost every health region in the state. Health authorities are closely monitoring the unprecedented spike and urging Queenslanders to remain vigilant as the virus lingers into summer.
Statewide flu cases hit record high
Queensland Health data shows there have been 93,753 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases so far this year, an 18 per cent increase on last year’s total of 79,770, which was already the highest in ten years. The latest tally far exceeds earlier years, with only 6,038 cases recorded in 2020 and just 283 in 2021, when pandemic restrictions and border controls kept flu circulation unusually low.
The surge has been broad-based, with all major health regions reporting thousands of cases. Metro South, which includes Brisbane’s southern suburbs and Logan, has recorded the highest number of notifications, with 23,650 cases in 2025, up from 19,719 in 2024. Metro North has also seen a sharp rise, from 14,395 cases last year to 18,387 this year.
North West region records steepest jump
While south-east Queensland has the largest number of cases, the North West health region has experienced the most dramatic percentage increase. The region, covering communities such as Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek, Mornington Island and Normanton, recorded 321 cases in 2024. That figure has soared to 843 this year, a jump of 162 per cent.
Other regional centres have also been hit hard. On the Gold Coast, influenza cases climbed from 9,485 in 2024 to 13,843 in 2025, an increase of around 43 per cent. The Sunshine Coast saw cases rise from 5,368 to 6,850, while Townsville’s numbers nudged up from 3,902 to 4,082 over the same period.
Mixed picture in Queensland regions
Not every part of the state has seen an increase. The South West region, which includes Roma, Charleville and St George, recorded 449 cases this year, down from 618 in 2024, a fall of about 28 per cent. West Moreton, covering Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley, has also recorded a decline, with cases dropping from 7,382 to 6,721.
Some smaller regions have remained relatively stable. The Central West recorded 161 cases in 2025, compared with 162 last year, while Torres and Cape dropped slightly from 574 to 566. Even so, overall statewide numbers continue to trend sharply upward, raising concerns about ongoing pressure on health services if high transmission persists.
Hospitalisations and calls for vaccination
Despite the record case numbers, hospitalisations remain comparatively low in proportion to total infections. As of 14 December, 66 people were in hospital with influenza across Queensland, with the majority aged over 65. Health authorities say this highlights the particular risks flu poses to older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Queenslanders are being urged to stay up to date with influenza vaccinations, especially older adults, young children, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses. Officials are also reminding the community to stay home when unwell, practice good hygiene and seek medical advice if flu symptoms become severe or do not improve.
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