Research and analysis

Syndromic surveillance summary: 19 September 2024 week 37

Updated 19 December 2024

Reporting week 37: 9 September to 15 September

During week 37 there were continued seasonally expected increases in acute respiratory infection indicators across several syndromic surveillance systems, particularly in children aged less than 15 years. Increases were also noted in selected asthma indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. These asthma increases are in line with the expected ‘back to school asthma’ activity that is observed each year during September when children return to school after the summer break.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system

During week 37, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infection increased in children aged under 15 years, following expected seasonal trends.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins.

GP in-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 37 GP in-hours consultations for upper and lower respiratory tract infections and bronchiolitis increased in line with expected seasonal trends and within baseline levels, particularly in children aged under 15 years. Daily consultation rates for asthma also increased, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years, but rates remained below seasonally expected levels.

GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins.

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 37, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections increased in line with the expected seasonal baseline. The increases were observed particularly in children aged less than 15 years. There was also an increase in contacts for difficulty breathing, wheeze or asthma in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. This increase is in line with the expected ‘back to school asthma’ activity that is seen each year during September.

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins.

Emergency department syndromic surveillance system

During week 37, emergency department (ED) attendances for acute respiratory infection increased, particularly in children under 15 years, and attendances for acute bronchiolitis or bronchitis increased in children under 5 years. These increases followed expected seasonal trends. Asthma attendances in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years increased sharply during week 37, following expected ‘back to school asthma’ activity that is seen each year in September.

Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins.

Ambulance syndromic surveillance system

During week 37, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing increased in line with expected seasonal trends.

Ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins.