Winter health watch summary: 15 January 2015

Published 26 March 2015

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

A Level 3 Cold Weather alert has been issued on 15 January 2015 for North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber. A Level 2 has been issued for West Midlands, East Midlands and the East of England.

Previous alerts have been issued as follows: A Level 2 Cold Weather Alert was were issued for the period 12 January 2015 for North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber. A Level 2 alert was issued on 25 December for the period 26 to 31 December across England. This was upgraded to a level 3 alert for North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and West Midlands on 26 December, with other regions remaining at level 2. On 11 to 13 December A Level 2 alert was issued for North East England, North West England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

1.2 Syndromic surveillance

Syndromic surveillance report that there has been little change in the levels of influenza-like illness during week 2. Syndromic surveillance indicators for all other respiratory indicators, including acute infections and asthma, remained high during week 2, however there were signs of decrease for each, across all age groups.

1.3 Flu

In week 2 2015 (ending 11 January), across indicators influenza activity was at similar or lower levels than those reported the previous week. The Department of Health have issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in the season overall is 6% lower than the 5 year seasonal average (from season 2009 and 2010 to season 2013 and 2014). Laboratory reports are currently at slightly lower levels than the same weeks in previous years. Reports of outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals continue to be reported at similar levels to previous years.

1.5 Rotavirus

Rotavirus activity is low; laboratory reports are 36% lower than the 10 season average (from season 2003 to 2004 to season 2012 to 2013). The decreased rotavirus activity is likely to be associated with the introduction of the oral vaccine in July 2013.

1.6 All-cause mortality

In week 2 2015, significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm in England in 65+ year olds. In the devolved administrations, no significant excess all-cause mortality was seen in week 2. Since week 40 2014, significant excess mortality has been seen in England from week 50 to week 2 2015.