Winter health watch summary: 30 November 2017

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-30-november-2017

1. Summary

1.1 Cold alert

A Level 2 cold weather (alert and readiness) was issued for North West England, North East England and Yorkshire and Humber on 24 November 2017 and was extended to all other regions on 27 November 2017.

A Level 3 cold weather alert (cold weather action) was issued on 29 November 2017 for North West England, North East England and the West Midlands and is in place until 2 December 2017.

All other regions remain at Level 2 – alert and readiness.

1.2 Flu

During week 47 (ending 26 November 2017), influenza activity was low across all surveillance systems and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is starting to peak.

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 47, there were further increases in selected respiratory indicators. In young infants aged under 1 year, bronchiolitis and asthma indicators increased further in line with recent increases in laboratory reports for RSV.

1.4 Norovirus

Since week 27 in 2017, there have been 1294 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. This is 14% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (1501).

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 in 2017, there have been 459 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 (815) (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 47 2017, no statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm in England overall or by age group

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