Syndromic surveillance summary: 15 February 2024 week 6
Updated 19 December 2024
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Reporting week 6: 5 February to 11 February
During week 6, most respiratory syndromic indicators either decreased or remained stable. Emergency department (ED) attendances and GP out-of-hours contacts for influenza-like illness both decreased. There were further increases reported in GP in-hours consultations for measles and whooping cough, both of which remained above seasonally expected levels during week 6. There were also further increases observed in ED attendances and GP in-hours consultations for scarlet fever.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, NHS 111 calls for cold/flu, fever and cough decreased across all age groups. There were however increases observed in sore throat online assessments, particular in the 5 to 14 and 15 to 44 years age groups. Calls and online assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting remained stable during week 6.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, there was a small decrease observed in upper respiratory tract infection, COVID-19-like and influenza-like illness GP in-hours consultations, however recent trends currently remain stable overall. Consultations for scarlet fever continued to increase, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years, however rates currently remain similar to seasonally expected levels. There were continued increases in measles and whooping cough consultations during week 6, with both indicators currently above seasonally expected levels.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections remained stable during week 6, while contacts for influenza-like illness, acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis and fever all decreased. There was a small increase in diarrhoea contacts in infants aged <1 year.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections remained stable (but above expected levels) while influenza-like illness attendances decreased. Pneumonia attendances are stable but elevated and remain above levels expected for the time of year. There was a further increase in attendances for scarlet fever, with a sharp increase observed in children aged 5 to 14 years; overall, attendances remain above seasonally expected levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 6, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing remained stable, but above expected levels. Calls for ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ increased, although they remained similar to baseline levels. Calls for ‘overdose or injection or poisoning’ continued to increase, in line with expected trends.