Fears for Christmas as unseasonal South Australia flu surge drives record death toll

South Australia has recorded its worst-ever flu outbreak as weekly cases spike despite increasing temperatures, defying seasonal patterns and threatening Christmas gatherings.

Festive flu is on the march, even as the long hot days of summer and beach weather hit, while the death toll is on track to be double the number of the past few years.

Weekly flu cases have almost doubled in the past seven weeks, rocketing from 447 cases in the week ending October 25, to 823 cases in the week ending December 6.

The upward trajectory is out of kilter with SA Health’s advice that the flu season is usually “between May and September”.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show there were 106 deaths in SA blamed on the flu between January and September this year.

This compares to the total of 63 last year and 65 the year before – with the 2025 final quarter data still to come.

Health officials now fear the prospect of potentially deadly flu sweeping through aged care homes amid family reunion visits for Christmas.

The summer surge comes in a year where flu cases have soared to more than 33,000 cases so far, compared to around 22,500 cases this time last year which itself was one of the worst years in recent times.

Royal Australian College of GPs SA chair Dr Sian Goodson said the state is in the midst of an all-time record for flu cases.

GP and Royal Australian College of General Practitioners state chair Dr Sian Goodson.

“We marked that grim milestone in October – this is not a record we want to be breaking, we must boost vaccination rates and reverse this trend,” she said.

“Getting vaccinated not only helps keep yourself as safe as possible, but also your friends and family members.

“There was a bad flu season in the northern hemisphere, our flu season started early.”

Dr Goodson warned Christmas and New Year can be “spreader events” and that while the flu becomes more prevalent in winter, infections can happen any time.

SA Health said the 33,031 cases so far this year is highest number on record since the flu became a reportable disease in 2008.

“Most years, influenza cases peak in the winter months and then reduce later in the year, and we reached our peak for 2025 in July,” a statement says.

“However, there has been an unseasonal increase in flu notifications, predominantly of the influenza A strain.

“Since November 1, there have been 3694 cases reported where 97 per cent have been the influenza A strain. There have also been 319 hospitalisations since November 1 and sadly one death.

“This spike is being seen across the country and is driven by the prevalence of the A strain whereas earlier this year, we saw both the A and B strain circulating.

“It’s never too late to be vaccinated against flu and with this recent spike in cases, all South Australians from the age of six months and older should ensure their vaccinations are up to date.”

Originally published as Fears for Christmas as unseasonal South Australia flu surge drives record death toll