Influenza
Health alert
Status: Active
Issue date: 11 August 2026
Issued by: Chief Health Officer
Issued to: All clinicians
Influenza is a vaccine-preventable respiratory illness, caused by the influenza virus.
Alert to health professionals
Current situation
Influenza activity is increasing across the Northern Territory (NT).
In 2026, there have been 752 laboratory-confirmed influenza notifications, 214 hospitalisations and 2 deaths reported in the NT. Influenza cases have risen by 21% in the most recent fortnight.
Cases are currently increasing in multiple regions, particularly in Darwin Urban and Rural, Katherine and East Arnhem. Based on recent trends, further increases in influenza activity are anticipated over the coming weeks.
The NT experiences influenza cases throughout the year with distinct surges occurring often, but not exclusively during the dry season.
This dry season rise is driven by increased population movement, a high influx of interstate and international tourists, and a busy calendar of large-scale community events.
Notifiable disease
Influenza is a notifiable disease.
Vaccine
Read about immunisations on the Northern Territory Government website.
Information for health professionals
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Flu vaccination | Northern Territory Government |
| Webpage | Flu (influenza) | Health direct |
Exclusion periods for schools and daycares
There is a minimum period of exclusion from school, pre-school or childcare for children or educators with this infectious disease.
Get a copy of the time out minimum periods of exclusion.
Contact
Contact the Northern Territory’s Centre for Disease Control.
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