By Jeremy Cook
Queensland is battling its worst flu outbreak in seven years with health authorities warning case numbers have yet to peak.
Emergency departments across the state reported 53,319 respiratory related presentations throughout the June quarter, up by 4000 during the same period in 2023, data released by the Queensland government on Monday revealed.
The data also showed 346 Queenslanders were currently hospitalised with influenza A as of 11 August.
To date, approximately 4600 people have been admitted to hospital with the flu in 2024 marking the state’s worst flu season since 2017 when 6070 people were hospitalised.
Hospitalisation rates for the flu doubled for children under five years old in the first full week of August, climbing to 28 compared to 13 on the previous week. Less than 15 per cent of children admitted to hospital with influenza have been vaccinated.
Darling Downs health authorities reported more than 3,400 cases across the region’s health service so far this year, up by almost 2,000 on the region’s five-year average.
The timing of flu season can vary each year but typically occurs between May and September, commonly peaking in August.
The state’s Health Minister Shannon Fentiman urged Queenslanders to get their free flu vaccinations
“With the Chief Medical Officer warning we’re potentially weeks away from seeing the worst of the flu season, I’m asking all Queenslanders to please get your free flu jab,” Ms Fentiman said.
“No one wants to see their child or loved one hospitalised, and we know that vaccination makes a huge difference when it comes to the risk of being hospitalised with flu,” she said.
“This doubling of hospitalisations is concerning for our smallest Queenslanders and I am asking parents across the state, please vaccinate yourself and your kids.
“For the last two years we have seen terrible flu seasons.”
A spokeswoman for Darling Downs Health said authorities had continued to see a “rapid increase” in community members presenting to hospitals with respiratory illnesses.
“It’s a timely reminder to stay home if you’re unwell, cover your coughs and sneezes, keep your hands clean and stay up to date with your vaccinations,” she said.
Premier Steven Miles described the rate of young Queenslanders presenting to hospital as “very concerning”.
“It is absolutely critical that everyone who can gets their flu shot, to help protect the most vulnerable people in our community,” Mr Miles said.
“That’s why we have made the flu vaccine free, so cost isn’t a barrier to staying safe and healthy.”
Of the 346 currently hospitalised influenza patients, 28 are children under the age of five, 137 are aged between five and 64, and 181 are aged 65 years or older.
Ms Fentiman said respiratory illnesses had been severe right across the state this year which coupled with high numbers of long-stay patients, had placed extreme pressure on hospitals.
“We plan for intense periods like this every year, but what we are seeing this year is extraordinary demand,” she said.
“The number of hospital tier three escalations in the June quarter was similar to previous quarters, but these ones have lasted longer due to the volume of respiratory infections.
“We are also continuing to work with the Commonwealth to transfer long-stay patients out of hospital to appropriate accommodation which will free up more beds.”
