Winter health watch summary: 3 March 2016

Published 31 March 2016

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1. Summary

1.1 Cold Alert

A Level 2 ‘Alert and readiness’ cold weather alert has been issued between 9pm on Thursday 3 March and 9am on Monday 7 March for North East England, North West England, as well as Yorkshire and Humber. All other regions are currently at Level 1 ‘Winter preparedness and action’. An earlier Level 3 ‘Cold weather action’ cold weather alert was in place between Friday 26 February and Monday 29 February for North East England, North West England, and Yorkshire and Humber with a Level 2 ‘Alert and readiness’ cold weather alert for the same period for West Midlands and East Midlands. All other regions remained at Level 1 throughout that period.

1.2 Flu

In week 8 2016 (ending 28 February 2016), influenza circulation with mainly A(H1N1)pdm09 continues with indicators stabilising across surveillance schemes, including the number of influenza admissions to hospital and ICU. 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

There was little overall change in selected respiratory indicators during week 8 2016, including GP influenza-like illness consultations and cold or flu calls to NHS 111.

There have been increases in consultations for vomiting and diarrhoea.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 2627. This is 41% lower than the average number for the same period in the 5 seasons from season 2010 and 2011 to season 2014 and 2015 (4476), and 44% 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 number of laboratory reports of rotavirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 1281. This is 63% lower than the 10 season average for the same period in the seasons 2003 and 2004 to 2012 and 2013 (3472). Rotavirus laboratory reports are currently lower than previous years.

1.6 All-Cause Mortality

Excess mortality was seen in 15 to 64 year olds for week 8 2016 in England. So far this season, excess mortality has been seen in England in under 5 year olds in weeks 51 and 5, in 5 to 14 year olds in week 51, and in 15 to 64 year olds in weeks 52 to 3 and 5 to 8 with the EuroMoMo algorithm.