A report on the surveillance and epidemiology of acute respiratory infections in Australia in 2024, with a focus on the nationally notifiable conditions coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Overall it finds there was high acute respiratory infection activity with moderate severity but a lower burden on health system utilisation in 2024.

It provides a national overview of:

• the distribution of acute respiratory illness activity in the community
• the severity of disease
• the populations most at risk for severe disease
• the impact of acute respiratory illness activity on the health system and community.

The report helps improve understanding of how acute respiratory infections and prevention activities are affecting different populations across Australia. This information will be used to improve the public health of Australians in multiple ways, including informing:

• winter preparedness
• public health decisions and communication strategies, such as vaccination campaigns and other preventive measures
• planning for future vaccination strategies.