There have been more than 6000 cases of the flu in Queensland so far this year – more than double the year-to-date mean of cases.
From January 1 to July 2 there were 6147 lab-confirmed cases of influenza; in the same period last year there were 4487 cases, and the year-to-date mean 2012-2016 was 3030.
But a Queensland Health spokesperson said the spike in notifications was due to a larger number of cases in the tropical north of the state at the start of the year.
"In the early months of this year, flu activity temporarily increased in the tropical area of the state, as it did in 2016," the spokesperson said.
"The statewide activity since then has been consistent with previous years."
Peak flu season doesn't hit until August, but for those worried about contracting the flu Queensland Health said the vaccination was more widely available than it had been in the past.
"Up to the end of June, Queensland Health had distributed more than 790,000 doses of influenza vaccine for the National Immunisation Program," the spokesperson said.
"Queenslanders not eligible for vaccine under the National Immunisation Program can be vaccinated by their doctor, immunisation provider and some local pharmacists."
This year's flu shot is different from last year's, and protects against two "A" strains and two "B" strains.
"Circulating strains identified so far this year match the strains in the vaccine," the spokesperson said.
Other ways to avoid getting the flu – or a cold virus in general – include washing your hands regularly with soap and water, covering your mounth and nose when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands after using a tissue and staying at least one metre away from people who have flu-like symptoms.