Winter health watch summary: 26 November 2015

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

A level 2 cold weather alert ‘Alert and readiness’ was in place for North East England, North West England, and Yorkshire and Humber between Friday 20 November and Monday 23 November. All other regions remain at level 1 ‘Winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2015.

1.2 Flu

Influenza activity remains at low levels in week 47 (ending 22 November 2015).

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 47, there were further increases in a number of respiratory indicators in children aged under 5 across all syndromic surveillance systems. These increases are in line with recent reports of increasing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season is 1143. This is 17% lower than the average number for the same period in the 5 seasons from 2010 and 2011 to 2014 and 2015 (1379), and 50% lower than the same weeks last season. Reports of outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals continue to be reported at similar levels to previous years.

1.5 Rotavirus

The level of rotavirus laboratory reporting is currently at similar levels to previous years. Laboratory reports are 8% higher than the 10 season average (from season 2003 and 2004 to season 2012 and 2013). The increase in comparison to the 10 year average is because of a later peak this season than previous seasons. Rotavirus activity is still greatly reduced compared to previous seasons overall.