<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians are being urged to take precautions over Christmas and New Year after an unseasonal rise in flu cases.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Health reporting shows more than 29,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza have been recorded in Australia as of yesterday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP), this is four times the 6952 flu cases reported in December last year.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/christmas-day-2025-weather-forecast-bureau-of-meteorology-australia/df4ba481-c3f4-4621-8ac0-7e8132c32e5a" rel="" target="" title="What Christmas Day weather will be like in your city"><strong><span>What Christmas Day weather will be like in your city</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At least 491,000 influenza cases have been recorded this year, which is a 34.5 per cent increase on cases last year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>RACGP President Dr Michael Wright has urged Australians to take care over the holidays.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We started this year with more lab-confirmed flu cases than in any January on record, that didn't come out of nowhere," he said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/health-news-australians-urged-to-take-precautions-with-flu-cases-on-the-rise/d07c3874-0c55-4399-a06f-f6e733eaab23" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The number of flu cases doubled from December 2024 to January 2025.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Unfortunately, gathering to celebrate Christmas, the new year, and sports and other activities can play a part in increasing case numbers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The holiday season can be a challenging time for mental health, no one should have to spend the holiday season alone, but everyone deserves to be safe and well over the holidays.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Remembering that the flu and other respiratory infections can be deadly or put a loved one in hospital is part of how we can care for others this holiday season."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/what-the-big-four-banks-think-will-happen-with-interest-rates-next-year/262761c1-f82b-4782-b631-dc2634b650d5" rel="" target="" title="What the 'big four' banks think will happen with interest rates next year"><strong><span>What the 'big four' banks think will happen with interest rates next year</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 1508 deaths associated with influenza in the year to November.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wright encourages Australians to consider those who are unwell over the festive season.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Patients, including seniors, children under five, who are pregnant, or who live with some chronic conditions are at higher risk of a severe infection," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You don't want a joyful celebration leading to spreading infection, hospitalisation, or even worse.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If someone is unwell or isolating, think about ways they can be a part of celebrations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A family member who stays home or in another part of the house can join by video or phone call.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We don't want to break another flu record next year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The best way to reduce the risk of a severe infection is to get a flu vaccination.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"With Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia to introduce free needle-free flu vaccinations for young children next year, it'll be easier than ever to get a vaccination during your consult."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple App Store</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>.</span></em></strong></div></div>