Winter health watch summary: 24 December 2014
Published 26 March 2015
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1. Summary
All regions of England are at Cold Weather Alert Level 1 ‘winter preparedness and action’.
Syndromic surveillance indicators for influenza, including GP consultations for influenza-like illness, continued to increase across all syndromic systems during week 51. There were no further increases in bronchitis and bronchiolitis indicators (EDSSS and GP OOH) during week 51.
In week 51 2014 (ending 21 December), across all indicators influenza activity increased nationally. Overall, levels are now similar to the peak in flu activity observed in the last three seasons, but have not reached the levels seen in the last notable seasons of 2010 to 2011, and 2008 to 2009. The Department of Health have issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.
The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in the season to date is eight percent higher overall than the five year seasonal average (from season 2009 and 2010 to season 2013 and 2014). However, laboratory reports are currently at similar levels to 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]
Rotavirus activity is low; laboratory reports are lower than the ten 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]
In week 51 2014, no excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen in England through the EuroMOMO algorithm.
2. Surveillance reports updated weekly
PHE syndromic surveillance page
PHE national seasonal influenza report
PHE weekly all-cause mortality surveillance
3. Further information
Met Office Get Ready for Winter
4. Planning resources
Cold weather plan for England 2014
[1] PHE have recently introduced a new laboratory reporting system so direct comparisons between norovirus and rotavirus data from the previous system (LabBase2) and the new system (SGSS) may not be valid.