Winter health watch summary: 3 December 2015

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Weather alert

A level 2 cold weather alert ‘Alert and readiness’ was in place for north east England, north west England, and Yorkshire and Humber between Friday 20 November and Monday 23 November. All other regions remain at level 1 ‘Winter preparedness and action’ since 1 November 2015.

1.2 Flu

Influenza activity remains at low levels in week 48 (ending 29 November 2015).

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 48, there were further increases in a number of respiratory indicators in children aged under 5 across all syndromic surveillance systems. These increases remain in line with recent reports of increasing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 1208. This is 22% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from 2010 and 2011 to 2014 and 2015 (1542), and 51% 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 at similar levels to previous years. Laboratory reports are 4% higher than the 10 season average (from season 2003 and 2004 to season 2012 and 2013). The increase in comparison to the 10 year average is because of a later peak this season than previous seasons. Rotavirus activity is still greatly reduced compared to previous seasons overall.

1.6 All-cause mortality

In week 48 2015, no statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMoMo algorithm in England overall and by age group.