Winter health watch summary: 25 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-25-january-2018

1. Summary

1.1 Cold alert

All regions are at level 1 cold weather alert (winter preparedness and action) until further notice.

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 17 January
19 January to 22 January

1.2 Flu

During week 3, 2018, influenza activity is starting to stabilise. Influenza A and B are co-circulating. The Department of Health has issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 3, 2018 there were no further overall increases in influenza-like indicators across syndromic surveillance systems. While GP influenza-like illness consultations and NHS 111 cold/flu calls decreased in adults there were increases in children, particularly the 5 to 14 years age group.

1.4 Norovirus

Norovirus activity appears to have peaked.

Since week 27, 2017 there have been 2,964 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. As a result of activity earlier in the season this is 3% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (3060); 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 660 laboratory reports of rotavirus in England and Wales. This is 45% lower than the average for season 2013 to 2014 to season 2016 to 2017 (1190) (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 3, 2018, statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm overall and in the over-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