Australian Influenza Surveillance Report

The Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity Updates are compiled from a number of data sources, which are used to monitor influenza activity and severity in the community. These data sources include laboratory-confirmed notifications to NNDSS; influenza associated hospitalisations; sentinel influenza-like illness (ILI) reporting from general practitioners and emergency departments; ILI-related call centre calls and community level surveys; and sentinel laboratory testing results.

Page last updated: 29 August 2016

The Australian Influenza Surveillance Report is published on a fortnightly basis during the influenza season, typically between May and October. Influenza activity updates will be published outside of the seasonal period, with updates also provided during the season. A more in-depth end-of-season report is also published in Communicable Diseases Intelligence journal.

Australian Influenza Surveillance Report No 06 - 06 August to 19 August 2016

Summary

  • In the fortnight ending 19 August 2016, influenza activity continued to increase at the national level, with most regions of Australia reporting widespread and increasing activity.
  • Influenza-like illness (ILI) also continued to increase nationally. More than half of all patients presenting to sentinel general practitioners with ILI and tested were positive for influenza this fortnight.
  • Influenza A(H3N2) continued to be the dominant circulating influenza virus nationally in recent weeks, noting jurisdictional variation. Notifications of influenza B increased slightly in recent weeks, but remained at low levels overall.
  • Notification rates this year to date have been highest in adults aged 85 years or older, with a secondary peak in the very young, aged less than 5 years. This is consistent with influenza A(H3N2) being typically more prevalent in older age groups.
  • Clinical severity for the season to date, as measured through the proportion of patients admitted directly to ICU and deaths attributed to pneumonia or influenza, is low to moderate.
  • To date, the seasonal influenza vaccines appear to be a good match for circulating virus strains.

Full Report

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Previous Reports and Updates

Annual Reports

Accessibility Issues

Should you encounter issues in accessing the information contained either on this webpage or within the downloadable full reports please email flu (flu@health.gov.au) or contact the Department of Health switchboard on 02 6289 1555 or 1800 020 103.

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