Syndromic surveillance summary: 16 January 2025 week 2
Updated 20 February 2025
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Reporting week 2: 6 January to 12 January
During week 2, patient contacts for acute respiratory infections decreased overall and across all age groups. Large decreases were observed in emergency department (ED) influenza-like illness (ILI) attendances, both nationally and in all individual regions, including in adult age groups. However, there was a further increase observed in ILI indicators in GP syndromic surveillance systems. Impact of cold indicators increased further, in line with an Amber Cold-Health Alert that was in place over England during week 2.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, NHS 111-triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections decreased across all age groups. NHS 111-triaged calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting also decreased, again across all age groups.
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GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, GP in-hours consultation rates for upper respiratory tract infections continued to decrease overall, particularly in children aged up to 14 years. There was a further increase in the rate of influenza-like illness overall, particularly at the start of the week; however, rates subsequently decreased throughout the reporting week. Pneumonia and lower respiratory tract infections remained stable overall; however, rates remained elevated in adults aged 45 years and over.
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GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections decreased and are now at seasonally expected levels, with decreases now seen in adult age groups. Contacts for influenza-like illness were increased slightly and remain above seasonally expected levels.
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Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections continued to decrease, across all age groups and regions. Attendances for influenza-like illness (ILI) and pneumonia also decreased nationally, and across all age groups and regions. Week 2 also saw further increases in ED attendances associated with the impact of cold weather, particularly in adults aged 45 years and over (please note, this indicator is restricted to include female attendances only).
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Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 2 ambulance calls for ‘Impact of heat or cold’ increased nationally, as would be expected in line with an Amber Cold-Health Alert that was in place over England during the reporting week.