# Australian report finds rising influenza test positivity as COVID-19 and RSV notifications fell > From 21 September to 4 October, influenza notifications dipped slightly while self-reported influenza PCR and rapid-test positivity in community surveys rose to 47.0% and 41.3%; the data are preliminary. - Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026 - Publisher: Newsverum - Section: Health - Country: Australia - Published: 2026-10-13T02:11:42+00:00 - Updated: 2026-10-13T02:11:42+00:00 - Source review period: 2026-10-04 - Other editions: [Türkçe](https://newsverum.com/tr/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md), [العربية](https://newsverum.com/ar/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md), [Français](https://newsverum.com/fr/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md), [Español](https://newsverum.com/es/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md), [Deutsch](https://newsverum.com/de/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md), [Português](https://newsverum.com/pt/news/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026.md) *The source does not state the event date; the period shown is the source review period.* Australia’s Centre for Disease Control reported mixed respiratory-virus signals for 21 September to 4 October. Notified influenza cases fell 3.0% from the prior fortnight, while COVID-19 notifications fell 15.7% and RSV fell 35.8%. In community surveys, however, self-reported influenza PCR positivity reached 47.0% and rapid-antigen-test positivity 41.3%, both higher than in the preceding fortnight. The report says it is too early to tell whether a sustained national decline in influenza has begun, because some jurisdictions were still reporting increases. The survey test percentages are among participants who reported fever and cough and took a test; they are not population infection rates. Surveillance data are preliminary and may change, and the report notes missing recent notifications for some territories. ## Data ### Influenza test positivity in community surveys Percentages are for community-survey participants reporting symptoms and a test; they are not national case rates. Methodology: Figures are those reported by the Australian report for 21 September–4 October 2026. The report states surveillance is preliminary and may be revised; test percentages rely on self-report. | Indicator | Test positivity | Scope and method | |---|---|---| | Self-reported influenza PCR positivity | 47.0 | Community-survey participants reporting fever and cough who reported having a PCR test; not a population infection rate. | | Self-reported influenza rapid antigen test positivity | 41.3 | Community-survey participants reporting fever and cough who reported having a rapid test; not a population infection rate. | Sources: · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026/data/source-measurements?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/australia-respiratory-surveillance-influenza-positivity-october-2026/data/source-measurements?lang=en&format=csv) ## Sources - [Australian Centre for Disease Control]() (Source checked: 2026-10-13; Published: 2026-10-09) --- Cite the canonical URL above. [Editorial standards and corrections](https://newsverum.com/en/editorial)