Syndromic surveillance summary: 2 October 2025 week 39
Updated 16 October 2025
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Reporting week 38: 22 September to 28 September 2025
During week 39 there were continued increases in acute respiratory infection indicators across all syndromic systems, with some stabilisation amongst younger age groups, but increases in adults. There was a slight increase noted in influenza-like illness attendances, which remained similar to seasonally expected levels. Emergency department (ED) attendances for asthma were stable in children aged 1 to 14 years but continued to increase in adults aged 15 to 44 years. ED and GP in-hours COVID-19-like indicators continued to increase during week 39.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 39, NHS 111 triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections stabilised in children aged up to 14 years but increased in the adult age groups. There was a small increase in online assessments for vomiting, in line with the seasonal expectations.
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GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 39, the GP in hours consultation rates for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, including for influenza-like illness increased across all age groups. The GP in-hours COVID-19-like consultation rate continued to increase, most notably in the over 65 years.
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GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 39, GP out-of-hours daily contacts for acute respiratory infections, including influenza-like illness and acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis continued to increase, but broadly in line with seasonal expectations.
Note that there was a sharp increase in the number of daily contacts for influenza-like-illness recorded on Sunday 28 September. These contacts were predominantly in adults aged 65 years and over in one region and are therefore likely to have resulted from a small localised outbreak (for example, in a care home).
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Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 39, COVID-19-like ED attendances continued to increase particularly in adults aged 15 to 44 years. Acute respiratory infection attendances increased in line with seasonal expectations; attendances stabilised in children but started to increase in adults aged 15 to 44 years. There was a slight increase noted in influenza-like illness attendances, which remained similar to seasonally expected levels. Attendances for asthma were stable in children aged 1 to 14 years but continued to increase in adults aged 15 to 44 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 39, daily ambulance calls for ‘difficulty breathing’ and ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ stabilised after recent increases.