Winter health watch summary: 31 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

In week 52 2015 (ending 27 December), allowing for Christmas reporting breaks, across community or primary care surveillance schemes, influenza activity remains at low levels, although an increase in influenza activity is now being observed through secondary care surveillance schemes.

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 52, selected respiratory indicators remained high but continue to be within seasonally expected levels.

1.4 Norovirus

The number of laboratory reports of norovirus in this season (since week 27 2015) is 1605. This is 35% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from 2010 and 2011 to 2014 and 2015 (2470), and 71% 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. The level of laboratory reports is 10% lower compared to the 10 season average (from season 2003 and 2004 to season 2012 and 2013).