Winter health watch summary: 5 December 2013
Published 5 December 2013
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 weekly all-cause mortality surveillance
3. Further information
NHS England winter health check
Met Office Get Ready for Winter