Australia’s 2025 flu season is shaping up to be a difficult one. Cases are rising earlier, vaccination rates in vulnerable populations are slipping and healthcare facilities are bracing for a heavier-than-usual burden. A new microbial study on toilet plume contamination has already sparked concern, but influenza presents an even broader challenge – spreading not just via airborne droplets, but through surfaces we touch every day.

“Flu viruses don’t take a season off,” ISSA Making Safer Choices program director Dr Gavin Macgregor-Skinner says. “They can survive for hours, even days, on hard surfaces, so cleaning is critical. Detergents lift the organic matter that shelters viruses, and disinfection finishes the job.”

The risks this year are compounded by early viral peaks and declining vaccine uptake among children under five and adults over 65. “That combination is a serious concern,” Macgregor-Skinner says . “It could lead to increased hospitalisations, stretching resources. Facilities need to prepare now with adequate staffing, supplies and communication plans.”

It is not just about vaccines – it’s about building a culture of hygiene, especially in aged care and clinical settings. Routine cleaning needs to zero in on high-touch points. Flush buttons, bed rails, door handles and handrails all demand constant attention.

Dr Macgregor-Skinner urges facilities not to underestimate small missteps. “People often forget hand hygiene basics. But the smallest errors,like empty soap dispensers or poorly placed sanitisers, lead to bigger failures.” His solution? Make hygiene social. “I use the buddy system. Teammates look out for each other, correct one another. It works because they care.”

He also stresses smart planning. “Use dispensers with sensors that alert when supplies are low. Keep alcohol-based sanitisers and moisturising soap stocked at a  minimum of 60 percent.”

More broadly, public health teams need to step up their outreach. “We need to educate people on how vaccines work, and why the flu isn’t just a cold. We need honest conversations to counter misinformation and boost trust,” Macgregor-Skinner urges.

Whether in a hospital ward, a school corridor or a commercial office tower, a single flu case can trigger a chain reaction. “An outbreak can shut down a classroom or overwhelm an aged care wing,” he says. “But with proactive hygiene practices and vaccination, businesses and communities can protect their people.”

The message is clear: this season demands more than good intentions. It demands action – targeted, informed and consistent.