All regions of England have been at Cold Weather Alert Level 1 ‘winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2013. 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. Syndromic surveillance indicators for acute respiratory infection remained high nationally during week 51, as expected at this time of year. Outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals are continuing to be reported. However, norovirus activity is low. The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in the current week has increased but is lower than the 5-year seasonal average (covering winter seasons from 2007 to 2012). Rotavirus activity is low; laboratory reports are at the expected level for the time of year. Due to the Christmas bank holiday, there is no update for excess mortality estimates for week 51. No significant excess all-cause mortality was reported across the UK from week 40 2013 to week 50 2013 (week 50 of 2013 runs from 9 December to 15 December).

Public Health
England

Research and analysis

Winter health watch summary: 27 December 2013

Q: 4. Planning resources

Cold weather plan 2013 Flu plan: Winter 2013 to 2014 by DH , NHS England and PHE

Published 27 December 2013

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1. Summary

All regions of England have been at Cold Weather Alert Level 1 ‘winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2013.
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.
Syndromic surveillance indicators for acute respiratory infection remained high nationally during week 51, as expected at this time of year.
Outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals are continuing to be reported. However, norovirus activity is low. The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in the current week has increased but is lower than the 5-year seasonal average (covering winter seasons from 2007 to 2012).
Rotavirus activity is low; laboratory reports are at the expected level for the time of year.
Due to the Christmas bank holiday, there is no update for excess mortality estimates for week 51. No significant excess all-cause mortality was reported across the UK from week 40 2013 to week 50 2013 (week 50 of 2013 runs from 9 December to 15 December).