Syndromic surveillance summary: 19 December 2024 week 50
Updated 19 December 2024
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Reporting week 50: 9 December to 15 December
During week 50 there were further increases reported in influenza-like illness (ILI) indicators. Across relevant syndromic systems ILI increases were observed across all age groups with above expected ILI activity particularly noted in the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and North East regions of England. In general, other acute respiratory infection indicators continued to decrease in children aged under 5 years but increased in adults. NHS 111 calls for vomiting continued to increase in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, NHS 111-triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections (ARI) continued to increase. In general, ARI increases were observed in adults aged 15 years and over while there was a decrease in children under 5 years. There was a further increase in calls for conjunctivitis in children aged 1 to 4 years. Vomiting calls and online assessments increased in children aged under 15 years with a small increased observed in adults aged 15 to 44 years.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, consultation rates for upper and lower respiratory tract infections continued to increase nationally, in line with seasonally expected levels. There was a further increase in rates of ILI consultations across all age groups. ILI rates remained above expected levels in North East, Yorkshire and Humber and East and West Midlands regions. Upper and lower respiratory tract infection and bronchiolitis consultation rates decreased in children under 5 years of age. Conjunctivitis consultations increased in children aged under 5 years.
GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections continued to increase in line with seasonally expected levels in age groups over 5 years. Contacts for ILI continued to increase across all age groups and with activity currently above baseline levels. Contacts for fever also increased, particularly in children aged 5 to14 years. There were further decreases in acute bronchiolitis contacts during week 50 in children aged under 5 years.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 50 there was a large increase in ILI attendances nationally and across all age groups. ILI attendances remained above expected levels in the West and East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and North East regions while there was a sharp increase observed in London. Acute respiratory infections continued to increase, particularly in age groups 5 years and over. Acute bronchiolitis/bronchitis attendances continued to decrease in children aged under 5 years.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 50, ambulance calls for difficulty breathing remained stable and similar to expected levels. There was an increase in headache calls.