The number of children in hospital with flu-like illness has fallen for the first time since August, suggesting the outbreak has finally peaked.

But there is a warning to take care as viruses are still circulating.

Hospitalisations across the entire population dropped sharply in PHF Science data for the week ending 13 September.

However, they were still higher than the 2025 peak, showing there was still pressure on hospitals.

The winter illness season came late this year and hit the health system hard, largely driven by a very infectious strain of influenza A.

Last week, hospitalisation rates began to fall overall but had still been climbing for children.

In the latest stats, the rate for under-fives fell by more than 40 percent in a week to 173 per 100,000.

Across all ages the rate of hospital activity was now classed as “medium” after about a month in the “very high” category.

Calls to Healthline about flu-like illnesses were also the lowest they have been since 2 August. However, they remained high in the lower North Island.

Despite the drop, there will still be many people in hospital with the flu, including the smallest children.

In a statement, the clinical lead of Kidz First Hospital in South Auckland, Bridget Farrant, said they were still seeing elevated rates of children with severe acute respiratory infections in hospital.

“While we are moving through the latter part of the winter illness season, influenza and other respiratory viruses continue to circulate in the community,” she said.

“We encourage parents and caregivers to keep children up to date with recommended vaccinations, practise good hand hygiene, keep unwell children at home, and seek medical advice if they are concerned about their child’s health.”

She noted the flu vaccine had been made free for under-fives.

Children who ended up in hospital could need close monitoring, oxygen therapy, respiratory support, feeding support, intravenous fluids, or other specialist care, she said.

“For whānau, having a child in hospital can be a stressful and worrying experience,” she said.