Winter health watch summary: 2 January 2014
Published 2 January 2014
1. Summary
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All regions of England have been at Cold Weather Alert Level 1 ‘winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2013.
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Indicators of influenza activity are at low levels of intensity with evidence of sporadic detections of influenza. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is continuing to circulate.
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Syndromic surveillance indicates national attendances for bronchitis and bronchiolitis, particularly in young children, decreased during week 52 suggesting that levels have peaked.
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Norovirus activity is low. The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in the season to date is lower than the 5 year seasonal average (covering winter seasons from 2007 to 2012).
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Rotavirus activity is low, laboratory reports are at the expected level for the time of year.
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Due to the bank holidays, there is no update for excess mortality estimates for week 51 or 52. No significant excess all-cause mortality was reported across the UK from week 40 2013 to week 50 2013 (9 December to 15 December)
2. Surveillance reports, updated weekly
PHE syndromic surveillance page
PHE national seasonal influenza report
PHE weekly all-cause mortality surveillance
3. Further information
NHS England winter health check
Met Office Get Ready for Winter