Syndromic surveillance summary: 18 April 2024 week 15
Updated 25 April 2024
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Reporting week 15: 8 April to 14 April.
During week 15 further decreases were observed across a number of respiratory indicators including ED and GP out-of-hours acute respiratory infection attendances and GP in-hours upper and lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in children aged 5 to 14. GP-in hours lower respiratory tract infection consultations and ED pneumonia attendances still remain above levels expected for the time of the year. GP in-hours whooping cough and measles consultations remain above expected levels while GP in-hours consultations and ED attendances for scarlet fever both decreased and now within expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 15, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for cold/flu, cough, fever and sore throat decreased.
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 15, GP in-hours consultations for most respiratory indicators decreased, however lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia still remain above seasonally expected levels. Consultations for acute presenting asthma increased, mainly in adults aged over 45 years. Pharyngitis and scarlet fever consultations continued to decrease and are both below expected levels. Whooping cough and measles consultations remained above seasonally expected levels during week 15.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 15, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections, influenza-like illness and ‘difficulty breathing/wheeze/asthma’ decreased and are all at seasonally expected levels. There was also a decrease in contacts for acute pharyngitis, however contacts remain above seasonally expected levels.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 15 there were further decreases in ED attendances for acute respiratory infections, particularly in children, although attendances remain above expected levels. Pneumonia attendances decreased, with a small decrease observed in pneumonia attendances in the 5 to 14 years age group, but overall attendances remain higher than expected for the time of year. ED attendances for scarlet fever continued to decrease during week 15 and are now approaching expected baseline levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 15, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing decreased, but they remain above expected levels.