Research and analysis

HPR volume 11 issue 36: news (13 October)

Updated 15 December 2017

PHE commences weekly publication of influenza surveillance reports

The PHE Respiratory Diseases Department has commenced weekly (Thursday afternoon) publication of its detailed National Influenza Report that provides up-to-date information on levels of influenza and other respiratory virus activity and its impact on the UK population [1]. This includes graphical presentations of detailed epidemiological and virological data generated by various national surveillance schemes. The national report is published weekly throughout the winter influenza season.

According to the first weekly report for the 2017/18 season, covering week 40 (ending 8 October 2017), weekly influenza activity was low across all surveillance indicators (for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). There are, however, signs of increasing RSV activity in children under 5 years of age. RSV is associated with hospital admissions due to bronchiolitis.

The 2017/18 season is the fifth in which schools-based childhood vaccination is being progressively expanded. School Year 4 primary school children are being included in the national programme for the first time (in addition to Year Groups 1, 2 and 3). Other eligible groups who are entitled, and are being encouraged [2], to receive the vaccine include: older people, pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions (including those with morbid obesity) and healthcare workers (so that may protect themselves and their patients and clients).

Updated guidance for clinicians on the use of antiviral agents for treatment and prophylaxis of influenza has also recently been published to coincide with the start of the 2017/18 influenza season [3].

References

1. PHE (12 October, 2017). Weekly National Influenza Report - week 41 report (up to week 40 data)
2. “PHE urges those at highest risk of flu to get vaccinated”, PHE news release, 12 October 2017.
3. PHE (10 October, 2017). PHE guidance on use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza (version 8.0).

Mesothelioma in the UK, 2015

The Health and Safety Executive recently published annual statistics for mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain, including for 2015, recording the “long-tail” occupational health impact of industrial asbestos use between 1950 and 1980. A factsheet summarising the data includes a breakdown by geographical area for deaths occurring in the period 1981 to 2015 [1].

The latest published data indicate that:

• there were 2,542 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2015, a similar number to the preceding three years

• the latest projections suggest that there will continue to be around 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline

• the continuing increase in annual mesothelioma deaths in recent years has been driven mainly by deaths among those aged 70 and over

• in 2015, there were 2,135 male deaths and 407 female deaths, similar to the annual numbers in among males and females in the previous three years

• there were 2,130 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit in 2015 compared with 2,215 in 2014

• men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.

Reference

1. HSE website. Mesothelioma mortality in Great Britain 1981-2015 [national statistics].

Infection reports in this issue of HPR

The following reports are published in this issue of HPR. The links below are to the relevant webpage collections or publications.

Infection reports

• General outbreaks of foodborne illness in humans, England and Wales: weeks 35-39/2017
• Salmonella and shigella infections (faecal specimens, E&W): August/September 2017
• Common GI infections (laboratory reports, E&W): weeks 35-39/2017
• Norovirus outbreaks in hospitals: weeks 35-39/2017