Territory influenza deaths and outbreak linked to rise in crowded events and visitors

Over July, there were about 850 cases of influenza reported across the Territory after spreading from Central Australia. Read the details.

NT Health said cooler months, an increase of crowded events and a higher number of travellers could be to blame for the dramatic increase in influenza cases. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Twelve people have died and more than 2800 cases of influenza have been reported in the Northern Territory this year with nearly a third of these occurring during one month.

Since the beginning of 2025, there has been a steady stream of people being diagnosed with influenza.

Mainly being reported in the Darwin area, the illness appeared to peak in April when weekly numbers nearly reached 150 cases.

But in July, things changed dramatically.

As weekly cases shot over the previous peak and skyrocketed to over 250 in the middle of the month, NT Health labelled it as an influenza outbreak.

A rise in influenza cases was reported over July, 2025 across the Northern Territory in the August Surveillance Update. Image: NT Health

In their latest surveillance report from the Centre for Disease Control, the body detailed how the spike originated in Central Australia before spreading across the Territory.

The outbreak coincided with a Code Yellow being called at Royal Darwin Hospital and Palmerston Regional Hospital.

A Code Yellow was also called at Alice Springs Hospital later in the month.

NT Health stated that the increase in large, crowded events, returning travellers and cooler weather often leads to an increase in respiratory conditions such as influenza and Covid-19 and appeared to believe the usual suspects were at play.

However, the infection in the nose, throat and lungs is not to be underestimated.

Symptoms often start with a sore throat, runny or stuffy nose but unlike a cold, comes on much more quickly.

Influenza presents as rapid cold symptoms at first.

Patients can also experience fever, coughing, head and muscle aches, fatigue and sweating and chills.

When more serious, the virus can cause trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion and seizures and requires medical care right away.

In some cases in the Territory this year, it has led to 12 people dying.

The summer month spike brought the total number of reported cases of influenza to 2895 in 2025 over a six-month period. This is a 87 per cent increase from 2023.

In order to prevent the spread, NT Health said available vaccines for Covid-19, influenza and RSV could help minimise symptoms or contagion.

“The peak in influenza cases was observed in July this year, with most people getting sick between one and three days after being exposed to the virus,” an NT Health spokeswoman said.

“Territorians are encouraged to get the influenza vaccine every year.

“The vaccine is free for people most at risk of serious disease and hospitalisation; however everyone from six months of age is recommended to receive the vaccine.

“Talk to your GP or health clinic for more information.”

Anyone with respiratory symptoms should stay home to avoid putting vulnerable people at risk, practice good hygiene and seek medical attention if symptoms get worse or they are high-risk.

Rotavirus risk to children in Katherine

July also saw a rise in rotavirus numbers especially in the Katherine region when one week, a 2025 record of 16 cases were reported.

Since then, another 186 cases have been reported across the NT.

It follows after the Kimberley region in Western Australia has reported higher numbers.

Rotavirus is a childhood infection which often most commonly affects kids under five-years-old.

A rotavirus vaccine is first given to infants under 15 weeks old in the NT.

In Katherine during July, 65 per cent of the cases reported were in children under five-years-old. Nearly half of these were children who had not been fully vaccinated for Rotavirus.

The easily-spread infection tends to cause watery diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.

Families are often told to seek medical advice if the diarrhoea lasts more than three days, becomes severe or if there is blood in the child’s stool.

If families are concerned about the symptoms, particularly in very young infants, they should also seek attention as babies under six months are more likely to develop severe dehydration.

To help stop the spread, NT Health suggests thorough hand washing, cleaning furniture regularly and keeping children experiencing symptoms at home.

The rotavirus vaccine is also available and the first dose should be given to children before they reach 15 weeks.

NT Health said they are continuing to monitor the situation for further cases.