Winter health watch summary: 7 December 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-7-december-2017

1. Summary

1.1 Cold Alert

A level 3 Cold Weather Alert (cold weather action) is in place for all regions of England except the south-west. This is in place from 9am on Thursday 7 December until 6am Wednesday 13 December. A level 2 Cold Weather Alert (alert and readiness) is in place for the south-west for the same period. A level 2 Cold Weather Alert was in place for all regions from Monday 4 December.

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

24 November to 2 December

1.2 Flu

During week 48 (ending 03 December 2017), influenza activity is increasing but remains at baseline levels across most surveillance systems and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is at peak.

1.3 Syndromic Surveillance

During week 48 there were decreases in GP out of hour’s consultations and Emergency Department attendances for bronchitis or bronchiolitis and in NHS 111 calls for cough and difficulty breathing.

1.4 Norovirus

Since week 27 in 2017, there have been 1475 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. This is 13% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (1688).

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 495 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(894) (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 48 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.

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