Winter health watch summary: 4 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-4-january-2018

1. Summary

1.1 Cold Alert

North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, Southeast England and Southwest England are currently at level 2 cold weather alert (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

1.2 Flu

During week 52 (ending 31 December 2017), allowing for Christmas reporting breaks, influenza activity continues to increase across all surveillance indicators with notable increases for respiratory outbreaks and influenza confirmed hospitalisations. Influenza A and B are co-circulating, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) has reached peak activity and is now decreasing. The Department of Health has issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.

1.3 Syndromic Surveillance

During week 52, there were further increases in influenza-like illness indicators, including GP consultations and emergency department attendances and NHS 111 cold or flu calls. Increases were most notable in adults and are generally above seasonally expected levels.

1.4 Norovirus

Since week 27 in 2017, there have been 2331 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. As a result of activity earlier in the season this is 8% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (2538); however, activity in the most recent weeks has increased and is now comparable to 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 in 2017, there have been 593 laboratory reports of rotavirus in England and Wales. This is 44% lower than the average for season 2013 to 2014 to 2016 to 2017 (1066) (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 50 of 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. Please note mortality statistics will resume on 18 January 2018.

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