INFLUENZA cases are rising rapidly, with the number of people falling sick doubling within two weeks in the Metro South hospital region.
In the region - which encompasses Redland, Beaudesert and Logan hospitals as well as Princess Alexandra and QEII - reported flu cases spiked from 205 to 405 per week within a fortnight earlier in June.
About seven per cent of Metro South's flu cases have resulted in hospitalisations.
The spike came as the number of reported cases surpassed the total for 2018, with the peak of the season still to come.
So far in 2019, there have been 192 flu-related deaths across the country.
However, Australia's health department said clinical severity for the season - measured through the death toll and proportion of patients admitted directly to intensive care units - was low.
Putting pressure on Metro South hospitals' already stretched resources, the flu season has caused well over double the average number of hospitalisations so far.
Women over 80 were most likely to be hospitalised, while women in their 30s made up the highest percentage of flu cases.
The season shows no signs of slowing down, with previous years' data suggesting the number of cases will continue to escalate for another month.
It is expected to peak in August.
Earlier in the season, Dr Krispin Hajkowicz, director of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, said additional presentations at hospitals during traditionally busy winter months could place strain on resources.
"Flu is a serious illness that can lead to complications, particularly in the very young, elderly and people with complex chronic diseases," he said.
"It can strike at any time and protection diminishes over time so we encourage everyone to get a flu shot as soon as possible to protect yourself and your family from getting ill and from spreading it to more vulnerable groups like the elderly.
Queensland Ambulance Service Metro North assistant commissioner Stephen Zsombok said there was usually a strong correlation between the flu season and an increase in demand for QAS services.
