Winter health watch summary: 31 March 2016

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

All regions are currently at Level 1 – ‘Winter Preparedness and Action’.

1.2 Flu

In week 12 2016 (ending 27 March 2016), allowing for Easter reporting breaks, influenza activity continues with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B co-circulating at present with elevated indicators across surveillance schemes, including the number of influenza hospital and ICU admissions.

Updated guidance on antiviral prescribing in secondary care when influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 is the dominant circulating strain has been published.

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

GP consultations for influenza-like illness and other selected respiratory indicators remain above seasonal baseline levels across all systems. GP consultations for scarlet fever continued to increase during week 12.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 3426.

This is 37% lower than the average number for the same period in the five seasons from season 2010 and 2011 to season 2014 and 2015 (5426), and 32% lower than the same weeks last season. Reports of outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals continue to be reported but at lower levels than in previous years.

1.5 Rotavirus

The number of laboratory reports of rotavirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 1313.

This is 82% lower than the ten season average for the same period in the seasons 2003 and 2004 to 2012 and 2013 (7443). Rotavirus laboratory reports are currently lower than previous years.

1.6 All-cause mortality

Excess mortality was seen in the 15-64 year olds week 12 in England.

So far this season, excess has been seen in England in under-5 year olds in weeks 51 and 05; in 5 to 14 year olds in week 51 and in 15 to 64 year olds from weeks 52 2015 to 03, 05 to 07 and 09 to 12 2016, with the EuroMoMo algorithm.