Syndromic surveillance summary: 1 February 2024 week 4
Updated 19 December 2024
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Reporting week 4: 22 January to 28 January
During week 4 there were further increases observed in total syndromic activity and across a number of respiratory indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14, including NHS 111 calls for cold/flu and fever, and emergency department (ED) attendances for acute respiratory infections. ED attendances for influenza-like illness increased across all age groups. There was an increase in GP in-hours consultations for scarlet fever during week 4, with activity currently above expected levels.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 4, there were increases observed across all NHS 111 calls and online assessment respiratory indicators, including cold/flu, fever, cough and sore throat. Increases were mostly seen in age groups aged under 15 years old. The number of daily calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting also increased.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 4, GP in-hours consultation rates for upper respiratory tract infections continued to increase in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. There was also an increase in influenza-like illness in the 5 to 14 years age group. Consultations for scarlet fever increased again in week 4, particularly in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years, however rates remain at expected levels. The consultation rate for measles further increased during week 4 with activity remaining above baseline levels nationally.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 4, daily GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infection (ARI) continued to increase in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. Overall, ARI contacts are above seasonally expected levels. Fever contacts also continued to increase in the 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years age groups. Influenza-like illness contacts remained stable during week 4 but above baseline levels.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 4, total ED attendances continued to increase in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. Attendances for acute respiratory infections also continued to increase in these age groups. Influenza-like illness attendances continued to increase across all age groups. Attendances for scarlet fever increased in the 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years age groups during week 4 and remain above seasonally expected levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 4, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing increased and are currently above baseline levels. Daily calls for headache and allergic reactions also increased during week 4.