Syndromic surveillance summary: 7 December 2023 week 48
Updated 4 January 2024
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Reporting week 48: 27 November to 3 December 2023
During week 48, there were further decreases in emergency department (ED) attendances and GP in-hours consultations for acute bronchiolitis in children aged under one year and children aged 1 to 4 years, suggesting a likely peak in seasonal activity. Influenza-like illness indicators remained below seasonally expected levels. There were increases observed in ‘impact of cold’ syndromic indicators, in line with the recent amber Cold Weather Health Alert issued across parts of England.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 48, NHS 111 cold/flu calls decreased and are currently below seasonally expected levels. Other respiratory indicators remained stable and at or below seasonally expected levels. Vomiting calls have decreased in children aged under one year and children aged 1 to 4 years; however, there was a small increase in the group of those aged 5 to 14 years.
Access the remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 48, GP in-hours consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections stabilised or decreased in children aged under one year and children aged 1 to 4 years. Acute bronchiolitis consultations also decreased in these age groups. There were small increases observed in influenza-like illness consultations, but rates remain below baseline levels. Consultations for conjunctivitis increased during week 48, particularly in children aged under 5 years, although rates are below expected levels.
Access the GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 48, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections stabilised overall, but decreased in children aged under one year and children aged 1 to 4 years. Contacts for acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis stabilised in children aged under one year but decreased in the group of those aged 1 to 4 years. Contacts for vomiting increased in children aged 1 to 4 years, and aged 5 to 14 years during week 48.
Access the GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 48, ED attendances for acute bronchiolitis decreased in children aged under one year and children aged 1 to 4 years indicating that seasonal activity has now peaked. Acute respiratory infection attendances decreased and are now at seasonally expected levels. There was an increase in ‘impact of cold’ attendances during week 48 with attendances currently above seasonally expected levels. Increases were particularly seen in adults aged 65 years and over. These increases are in line with the recent ‘amber’ Cold Weather Health Alert in place over parts of England.
Access the emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 48, daily ambulance calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ increased to above baseline levels, coinciding with the recent amber Cold Weather Health Alert issued across parts of England.
Access the ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins on GOV.UK