Syndromic surveillance summary: 2 January 2025 weeks 51 and 52
Updated 2 January 2025
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Reporting weeks 51 and 52: 16 December to 29 December
During week 51 there were further increases in influenza-like illness (ILI) indicators across multiple syndromic systems. ED attendances and GP in-hours consultations for ILI increased further and remained above baseline levels with increasing ILI activity noted across all age groups. Other acute respiratory infection (ARI) indicators, including NHS 111 ARI calls and GP in-hours upper respiratory tract infection consultations also increased, but those increases were observed in age groups of 15 years and over. Acute bronchiolitis indicators decreased again in children aged under 5 years while COVID-19-like indicators remained stable and at low levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, there was an increase in the number of triaged calls and online assessments in all areas and predominantly in ages 15 or above. NHS 111 triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections (ARI) continued to increase, mainly in adults aged 15 years and over. There were also continued increases observed in diarrhoea calls and online assessments.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 51 there was a further increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) consultations, across all age groups, with rates remaining above expected levels. Upper and lower respiratory tract infections continued to increase nationally in line with seasonally expected levels, with increases particularly observed in ages 15 years and over. Bronchiolitis consultation rates continued to decrease in children aged under 5 years while acute bronchitis increased overall and in adults aged 45 years and over. COVID-19-like consultations remained stable and at low levels. Consultations for vomiting increased during week 51, particularly in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 52, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections continued to increase in those aged over 15 years. Whilst influenza-like illness contacts were stable nationally, contacts continued to increase in the 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years age groups. Contacts for acute bronchitis and difficulty breathing or wheeze or asthma increased in older adults over 45 years of age. Contacts for diarrhoea increased sharply on 28 December, before decreasing to normal levels on 29 December.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 51 there was a further overall increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) attendances nationally and across all age groups over 1 year. ILI attendances remained above baseline levels in all regions except London and North West, however the largest increases during week 51 were observed in the East of England, South East and South West regions. Acute respiratory infections continued to increase, particularly in age groups 5 years and over. Acute bronchiolitis/bronchitis attendances continued to decrease in children aged under 5 years while COVID-19-like attendances remained stable and at low levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 51, ambulance calls for difficulty breathing and ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ increased but remained similar to expected levels.