Research and analysis

Winter health watch summary: 5 December 2013

Published 5 December 2013

This research and analysis was withdrawn on

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 minimal levels no community transmission at present, though respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is currently circulating. Overall weekly influenza GP consultations remain low.
  • Syndromic surveillance indicates there have been further national increases in acute respiratory infection and bronchitis/bronchiolitis, particularly in children in the under 5 years age group, in line with seasonal expectations. This is consistent with increasing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity.
  • Reports of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals increased in the last 2 weeks. 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.
  • No significant excess all-cause mortality was seen across the UK in week 48 (25 November to 31 November).

2. Surveillance reports, updated weekly

PHE syndromic surveillance page

PHE national seasonal influenza report

PHE norovirus page

PHE weekly all-cause mortality surveillance

3. Further information

NHS Choices winter website

NHS England winter health check

Met Office Get Ready for Winter

Keep warm keep well: information for over 60s, low income families and people living with a disability

4. Planning resources

Cold weather plan 2013

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