Syndromic surveillance summary: 26 September 2024 week 38
Updated 26 September 2024
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Reporting week 38: 16 September to 22 September
During week 38 there were continued seasonally expected increases in acute respiratory infection indicators across several syndromic surveillance systems, particularly in children aged less than 15 years, but now also across older age groups. There was a further increase in GP in-hours and ED COVID-19-like indicators. There were also some further increases noted in selected asthma-type indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years in line with the expected ‘back to school asthma’ activity that is observed each year during September.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 38, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections increased, following expected seasonal trends. Continued increases were particularly observed in children, however during the last reporting week there were also increases seen in adult age groups. There were also small increases in calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting, in line with expected trends but slightly above levels expected for the time of year.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 38, GP in-hours COVID-19-like consultations increased, particularly in adults aged 45 years and older. Consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, influenza-like illness and bronchiolitis continued to increase (particularly in children aged under 15 years), all in line with expected seasonal trends and within baseline levels. Daily consultation rates for asthma also increased, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years, with rates in line with seasonally expected levels. There were also increases reported in gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, and vomiting indicators.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 38, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections increased, in line with the expected seasonal baseline. The increases were observed particularly in children aged less than 15 years. There were also continued increases in contacts for difficulty breathing/ wheeze/asthma in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years; this increase is in line with the expected ‘back to school asthma’ activity that is seen each year during September.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 38, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections increased but remained within seasonal expectations. There were further increases in COVID-19-like attendances, which increased particularly in the 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years age groups. Asthma attendances stabilised during week 38, notably in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years but remain above seasonally expected levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins.
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 38, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing continued to increase, in line with the trend expected at this time of year.