Syndromic surveillance summary: 11 April 2024 week 14
Updated 25 April 2024
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Reporting week 14: 1 April to 7 April
During week 14 decreases were observed across a number of respiratory indicators including emergency department (ED) and GP out-of-hours acute respiratory infection attendances, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years but with small increases observed in adults aged over 45 years. GP in-hours lower respiratory tract infection consultations and ED pneumonia attendances remained stable overall but at levels above those expected for the time of the year. GP in-hours whooping cough and measles consultations remain above expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 14, most respiratory indicators remained stable overall. A small increase was observed in NHS 111 online assessments for cold/flu and sore throat in the 65 and over age group, while these assessments decreased in the 5 to 14 years age group.
Please note that recent updates to the NHS Pathways clinical system used by NHS 111 has affected levels of certain syndromic indicators including cold/flu and cough calls (which should currently be interpreted with caution). NHS Pathways changes have also affected online assessments for fever and difficulty breathing indicators (which have been temporarily removed from this report to avoid misinterpretation). Please see ‘Notes and Caveats’ for further information.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 14, GP in-hours consultations for upper respiratory tract infections continued to decrease but they remain above seasonally expected levels. Lower respiratory tract infections were stable overall; however, increases were noted in the 65 and over age group while incidences among the 5 to 14 year olds decreased. Pneumonia consultations were stable but above expected levels. Pharyngitis and scarlet fever consultations both decreased, particularly in children. Whooping cough and measles consultations remain above seasonally expected levels. Please note, week 14 contains a public holiday (Monday 1 April) when GP in-hours services are not routinely available.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 14, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections decreased overall, with contacts decreasing in children aged 5 to 14 years but a small increase observed in adults aged 45 years and over.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 14 there was a decrease observed in ED attendances for acute respiratory infections. Decreases were particularly seen in children aged 5 to 14; however, there was also a small increase observed in adults aged 45 years and over. Other respiratory indicators were stable; however, pneumonia attendances remain at above seasonally expected levels. Scarlet fever attendances decreased during week 14 but they also remain above expected levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 14, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing decreased but they remain above levels expected for the time of year.