Syndromic surveillance summary: 9 October 2025 week 40
Updated 16 October 2025
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Reporting week 40: 29 September to 5 October 2025
During week 40 there were continued increases across a range of acute respiratory infection indicators with activity in general in line with seasonal expectations. There were further small increases in emergency department (ED) and GP in-hours influenza-like illness indicators particularly in the 15 to 44 years age group, with activity currently just above seasonally expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, NHS 111 triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections (ARI) continued to increase but remained below or similar to seasonally expected levels. Increases in ARI were predominantly seen in adult age groups aged 15 years and over, but there were also increases in children aged 1 to 4 years. There was a small increase in triaged calls for vomiting, particularly in children aged 1 to 4 years.
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GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, the GP in-hours COVID-19-like consultation rate continued to increase, most notably in age groups over 15 years. There were also increases in upper and lower respiratory tract infection indicators, both in line with seasonally expected limits and mainly across adult age groups. There was a further small increase in influenza-like illness consultations, particularly in the 15 to 44 years age group. Additionally, vomiting consultations increased during week 40, primarily in children aged under 5 years and there was a further increase noted in impetigo with activity currently above expected levels.
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GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, GP out-of-hours daily contacts for acute respiratory infections continued to increase with increases noted in adults aged 15 to 44 years and children aged 1 to 4 years. There was an overall small increase in influenza-like illness contacts, particularly in adults aged 15 to 44 years. Contacts for ‘difficulty breathing or wheeze or asthma’ also increased, mainly in adults aged 15 to 44 years. Daily contacts for vomiting increased during week 40 particularly in children aged 1 to 4 years.
Please note: a spike in the number of daily contacts for influenza-like-illness (ILI) was recorded on Sunday 28 September. These ILI 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. The recent ILI trend should therefore be interpreted with caution.
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Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, COVID-19-like ED attendances remained stable overall, but there were further increases in adults aged 65 years and older. Acute respiratory infection attendances increased, particularly in adults aged 15 to 44 years, in line with seasonal expectations. There was a further small increase in influenza-like illness attendances, where activity was just above seasonally expected levels with increases noted in the 15 to 44 years age group. Attendances for acute bronchiolitis remained stable and below seasonally expected levels. Attendances for scarlet fever increased slightly during week 40 and remained above seasonally expected levels.
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Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 40, daily ambulance calls for ‘difficulty breathing’ increased but remained within expected levels.