Winter health watch summary: 5 November 2015

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

All regions of England have been at Cold Weather Alert Level 1 ‘winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2015.

1.2 Flu

At the start of the 2015 to 2016 influenza season, activity is at low levels in week 44 (ending 1 November 2015).

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

There were increases in GP out of hours consultations and emergency department attendances for bronchitis/bronchiolitis, particularly in children aged under 1 year. These increases are in line with recent reports of increasing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity.

1.4 Norovirus

Laboratory reports of norovirus in the current season are 9% lower overall compared to the 5 year seasonal average (from season 2009 and 2010 to season 2013 and 2014) and 54% lower than at the same time 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 19% 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 than in previous seasons.

Rotavirus activity is still greatly reduced compared to previous seasons overall.