Syndromic surveillance summary: 22 June 2023 week 24
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 24: 12 June to 18 June 2023
On 11 and 12 June, there was a large spike in asthma and difficulty breathing indicators across syndromic surveillance systems. There was a further (but smaller) spike in these indicators on Sunday 18 June. Both episodes coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England. Increases were seen predominantly in emergency department (ED), ambulance and NHS 111 syndromic systems and particularly in 5 to 14, 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years age groups across multiple regions.
During week 24, ‘impact of heat’ syndromic indicators decreased while ‘insect bite’ indicators increased across all system, with levels currently above seasonal expectations.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
There was a large spike in ‘difficulty breathing’ calls and online assessments on 11 and 12 June and a further spike in activity on 18 June. The increases were observed across 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups. Both episodes coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England.
During week 24, ‘insect bites’ increased to above expected levels while there was a decrease ‘heat exposure or sunburn’ calls and online assessments.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 24, there was a sharp increase in consultation rates for seasonal environmental conditions including conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, ‘heat or sunstroke’ and insect bites. All are currently above seasonally expected levels.
Access the GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out of hours syndromic surveillance system
Daily GP out-of-hours contact data was not received from 4 August 2022 until 31 March 2023 due to technical problems. We have been working closely with our data provider and the daily syndromic feed recommenced on 1 April 2023. We are currently evaluating the daily data received and will resume publication of the weekly bulletin when this process is complete.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
There was a large spike in ED asthma attendances on 11 and 12 June and a further increase in attendances on Sunday 18 June. Increases were observed across the 5 to 14, 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years age groups. On 18 June, spikes were seen particularly in Yorkshire and Humber and East of England regions. Both episodes coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England.
During week 24, there was a further increase in gastroenteritis attendances in children aged 1 to 4 years.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
There was a large spike in ambulance calls for difficulty breathing observed on 11 and 12 June and a further spike on 18 June. Both episodes coincided with Met Office weather warnings for thunderstorms across parts of England.
During week 24, ambulance calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ decreased but they remain above baseline levels.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK