In recent months, Australia has faced an unusual outbreak of three viruses that have struck thousands of citizens nationwide. The combination of seasonal influenza, Covid-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has placed a heavy burden on the healthcare system, filling hospitals with patients and significantly increasing the number of visits to general practitioners. Many families have reported weeks of recurring illnesses, while parents of young children and the elderly have felt more vulnerable than ever.
Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Bennett from Deakin University explained that this delayed spike in infections was caused by several factors. According to her, the 2025 flu season lasted longer than usual, peaking from late June to mid-August, whereas it typically begins to decline earlier. This prolonged circulation of the flu virus created more favorable conditions for it to coexist with other viruses such as Covid and RSV. “This year’s flu season peaked later, so infections are clearing more slowly,” she told the Daily Mail.
Dr. Bennett emphasized that this situation was not just about the flu but also a result of other contributing factors, including weather conditions, changes in people’s behavior, and the increase in international travel after the pandemic. “There are still people dealing with Covid, others with the flu, and some with different viral infections. It’s a mix that has increased the pressure on the community,” she added.
However, experts also offered some positive news. Professor Peter Collignon, an epidemiologist at the Australian National University, said that infection numbers are steadily declining as the weather warms with the arrival of spring. “Viruses never disappear completely, but cases are expected to drop significantly by mid or late October,” he said, adding that there is currently no reason for panic.
Meanwhile, even though new Covid variants continue to emerge worldwide, specialists are not as concerned as they were during the early years of the pandemic. “There will always be a new variant every few months, but there is nothing to suggest that they will be worse than what we’ve already seen,” Dr. Collignon noted. According to him, people are just as exposed to a wide range of common viruses as they are to Covid.
Australian citizens are being urged to reduce the risk of spreading infections by staying home if they develop flu or cold symptoms. If they must go out, wearing a mask is advised, especially for those with chronic health conditions. “The flu is like any other illness—you should not mix with others while infectious in order to avoid spreading it,” said Dr. Bennett. Professor Collignon reinforced this message: “It’s the same advice we’ve given for 5, 10, even 20 years.”
Another strong form of protection is vaccination, both the annual flu shot and Covid booster doses, which are recommended in March or April before the peak season. However, figures show that many Australians are increasingly reluctant to get vaccinated. This phenomenon, known as “vaccine fatigue,” is directly linked to the long experience of the pandemic. According to the Australian Respiratory Surveillance Report, fewer adults have received a Covid vaccine in the past 12 months compared to the previous year. Similarly, influenza vaccine coverage is just 30.5 percent, much lower than in 2022 and 2023.
This lack of vaccination is having noticeable consequences. In Queensland, of the 77,956 flu cases recorded in 2025, as many as 84 percent were among unvaccinated individuals. Dr. Philip Britton, an infectious diseases physician at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, said this phenomenon stems from a combination of vaccine fatigue after the pandemic and complacency toward the flu. “For some people this may not seem serious, but as a doctor working with children every day, it is tragic to see young ones end up in intensive care because of a preventable infection,” he said.
Recent statistics also show that since late June, GP visits for flu-like symptoms have been significantly above the five-year average. Although the latest report, covering the period from September 8 to 21, showed a gradual decline in cases, the numbers remain higher compared to previous years. In Queensland alone, 2,706 new infections were reported in the week ending September 26. In NSW, flu levels dropped from “high” to “moderate,” but more than 4,000 new cases were still recorded in the most recent week.
Another concerning factor is the rise in cases of the common cold. In NSW alone, during the week ending September 20, more than 6,300 people were affected by cold symptoms. This demonstrates that the Australian healthcare system is facing not only major viruses such as the flu and Covid but also more common infections that are still striking large numbers of people at the same time.
In summary, Australia is experiencing a challenging health period, but experts remain confident that with warmer months approaching and with greater care from citizens, the situation will improve. However, they warn that the risk will always remain present as long as people neglect protective measures and vaccinations.