Winter health watch summary: 18 January 2018

Updated 29 March 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/winter-health-watch-weekly-summaries-2017-to-2018/winter-health-watch-summary-18-january-2018

1. Summary

1.1 Cold Alert

North East England, North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber are currently at level 3 (cold weather action), while West Midlands, East Midlands and East of England are at level 2 (alert and readiness).

Prior cold weather alerts have been in place this season from:

24 November to 2 December
7 December to 19 December
26 December to 29 December
6 January to 12 January

1.2 Flu

During week 02 (ending 14 January 2018), influenza activity continues to increase across several surveillance indicators although there are signs that some are stabilising. Influenza A and B are co-circulating, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has reached peak activity and continues to decrease. The Department of Health has issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.

1.3 Syndromic Surveillance

There were further increases in influenza-like indicators during week 2, including GP consultations for influenza-like illness (ILI), NHS 111 cold/flu calls and ED ILI attendances, in line with current reports of influenza circulating within the community.

There were decreases in generic respiratory indicators including GP consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections.

1.4 Norovirus

Since week 27, 2017 there have been 2768 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. As a result of activity earlier in the season this is 5 per cent lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (2900); however activity in the most recent weeks has increased and is now above the 5-season average for this reporting week.

Reports of suspected and confirmed outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals in England are currently at lower levels than in previous years (2009 to 2016).

1.5 Rotavirus

Since week 27, 2017, there have been 636 laboratory reports of rotavirus in England and Wales. This is 44% lower than the average for season 2013 to 2014 to season 2016 to 2017(1143) (the period after vaccine was introduced).

Following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in July 2013, the total number of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections each season has remained low compared to the pre-vaccine period.

1.6 All-cause mortality

In week 02 2017, statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm in the 65+ year olds in England.

Throughout the winter, local weekly flu and infectious intestinal disease bulletins are available from the relevant PHE Field Epidemiology Team.

The contact details are:

East Midlands: FES.EM@phe.gov.uk

East of England: EFEU@phe.gov.uk

London: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

North East: FES.NorthEast@phe.gov.uk

North West: FES.NorthWest@phe.gov.uk

South East: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

South West: FES.SouthWest@phe.gov.uk

West Midlands: FES.WestMidlands@phe.gov.uk

Yorkshire and Humber: YHFES@phe.gov.uk