Winter health watch summary: 11 February 2016

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

A level 2 cold weather alert ‘Alert and readiness’ has been in place for North East England and Yorkshire and Humber from Wednesday 10 February to Friday 12 February. The latter alert has been extended today (Thursday 11 February 2016) to include the North West of England until Monday 15 February. All other regions remain at level 1 ‘Winter preparedness and action’.

1.2 Flu

In week 5 2016 (ending 7 February 2016), influenza indicators continued to increase or stabilise across surveillance schemes, including GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates, the proportion of laboratory samples positive for influenza and influenza admissions to hospitals and ICU. The Department of Health has issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines to the health service. Updated guidance on antiviral prescribing in secondary care when influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 is the dominant circulating strain has been published.

1.3 Syndromic Surveillance

Selected respiratory indicators, including cold or flu calls to NHS 111 and GP ILI consultations, stabilised during week 5 following increases over the past few weeks.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 2170. This is 40% lower than the average number for the same period in the 5 seasons from season 2010 and 2011 to season 2014 and 2015 (3636), and 77% lower than the same weeks last season. Reports of outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting in hospitals continue to be reported but at lower levels than in previous years.

1.5 Rotavirus

The level of rotavirus laboratory reporting is currently lower than previous years. The level of laboratory reports is 40% lower compared to the 10 season average (from season 2003 and 2004 to season 2012 and 2013).

1.6 All-cause Mortality

No excess was seen in week 5 in England. So far this season, excess has been seen in England in under 5 year olds and 5 to 14 year olds in week 51 and in 15 to 64 year olds in weeks 52 and 53 with the EuroMoMo algorithm.