Winter health watch summary: 14 December 2017

Updated 29 March 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/winter-health-watch-weekly-summaries-2017-to-2018/winter-health-watch-summary-14-december-2017

1. Summary

1.1 Cold Alert

A level 3 Cold Weather Alert (cold weather action) is in place for the north-west and north-east. A level 2 Cold Weather Alert (alert and readiness) is in place for Yorkshire and the Humber, west and east midlands, and the east of England for the same period.

Prior cold weather alerts have been in place this season from:

24 November to 2 December
4 December to 13 December

1.2 Flu

During week 49 (ending 10 December 2017), influenza activity is starting to increase for several indicators in particular the number of lab confirmed outbreaks, the proportion of laboratory samples positive for influenza in primary and secondary care and influenza admissions to hospital and intensive care. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is at peak activity.

1.3 Syndromic Surveillance

During week 49 there were further decreases in emergency department attendances and GP out-of-hours consultations for bronchitis or bronchiolitis, and NHS 111 calls for cough and difficulty breathing.

1.4 Norovirus

Since week 27, 2017 there have been 1649 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. This is 12% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (1872).

Reports of suspected and confirmed outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals in England are currently at lower levels than in previous years (2009 to 2016).

1.5 Rotavirus

Since week 27, 2017, there have been 519 laboratory reports of rotavirus in England and Wales. This is 45% lower than the average for 2013 to 2014 to 2016 to 2017 (941) (the period after vaccine was introduced).

Following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in July 2013, the total number of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections each season has remained low compared to the pre-vaccine period.

1.6 All-Cause Mortality

In week 49 2017, no statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm in England overall or by age group.

Throughout the winter, local weekly flu and infectious intestinal disease bulletins are available from the relevant PHE Field Epidemiology Team. The contact details are:

East Midlands: FES.EM@phe.gov.uk

East of England: EFEU@phe.gov.uk

London: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

North East: FES.NorthEast@phe.gov.uk

North West: FES.NorthWest@phe.gov.uk

South East: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

South West: FES.SouthWest@phe.gov.uk

West Midlands: FES.WestMidlands@phe.gov.uk

Yorkshire and Humber: YHFES@phe.gov.uk