Syndromic surveillance summary: 22 March 2026 week 12
Updated 2 April 2026
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Reporting week 12: 16 March to 22 March 2026
During week 12 there were increases across a number of respiratory indicators, including acute respiratory infection and upper respiratory tract infection. Rises were noted in vomiting and fever indicators also. These rises were predominantly in age groups under 45.
Note that some of the observed increases in syndromic indicators reported during week 12 may reflect changes in healthcare seeking behaviour linked with public health messaging during the invasive meningococcal disease outbreak in South East England.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, NHS 111 acute respiratory infection triaged calls and online assessments increased mainly in those aged 1 to 4, 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years for calls, and in those aged 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years for online assessments, with both indicators remaining below seasonally expected levels. Calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting also increased and were at or above expected levels. Online assessments for eye problems increased but were similar to expected levels.
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GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, consultation rates for influenza-like-illness, upper respiratory tract infection, scarlet fever and vomiting increased, particularly in those aged under 15 and in the South East region. The consultation rate for measles decreased nationally and was similar to baseline levels.
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GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, GP out-of-hours daily contacts for gastroenteritis and diarrhoea increased nationally and were just above expected levels. Daily contacts for acute respiratory infection increased but remained below expected levels. Fever also increased, notably in the 15 to 44 years age group, but was within levels expected for the time of year.
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Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, total attendances increased, particularly in those aged less than 45 years. There were increases observed in the acute respiratory infection indicator, particularly in children aged under 15 years old and adults aged 15 to 44 years, however activity remained similar to seasonally expected levels. ED attendances for scarlet fever stabilised, mainly in the 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years age groups but remained above levels expected for this time of year. ED attendances for gastroenteritis increased, particularly in children aged 1 to 14 years old and adults aged 15 to 44 years, however this increase was below seasonally expected levels.
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Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 12, daily ambulance calls for headache increased markedly across several regions. There was also an increase in ambulance calls for allergic reactions in the South East and London regions and calls increased nationally across most indicators.