Syndromic surveillance summary: 18 January 2024 week 2
Updated 19 December 2024
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Reporting week 2: 8 January to 14 January
During week 2 there was a continued overall decrease in respiratory indicator activity across most syndromic surveillance systems , including acute respiratory infections (ARI), pneumonia, influenza-like illness (ILI) and COVID-19-like indicators. However, towards the end of week 2, increases were noted in selected respiratory indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years, including emergency department (ED), ARI and ILI attendances, NHS 111 cough and cold flu calls and GP out-of-hours fever contacts.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 2 further decreases were observed across NHS 111 call and online assessment respiratory indicators. However, increases were noted in cough and cold or flu calls in the 1 to 4 years age group. There was an increase in fever calls and online assessments, particularly seen in those aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. During week 2 calls and assessments for diarrhoea and vomiting decreased.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, GP in-hours consultation rates for upper and lower respiratory tract infections, influenza-like illness and pneumonia decreased. Consultations for gastroenteritis and vomiting also decreased. The consultation rate for measles decreased during week 2 but remains above baseline levels.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, daily GP out-of-hours respiratory indicators decreased while influenza-like illness contacts remained stable. There was an increase in fever calls, particularly noted in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years, during the weekend of 13 and 14 January. Daily ‘impact of cold’ contacts increased during week 2 but remain in line with baseline levels.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 2, daily ED attendances decreased across all respiratory indicators. However, towards the end of the week increases were observed in acute respiratory infection and influenza-like illness attendances in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. ED attendances for ‘impact of cold’ remained stable during week 2 and similar to baseline levels.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 2 daily ‘impact of heat or cold’ ambulance calls increased and are above expected levels, coinciding with the current Amber Cold Health Alert for all England.