Syndromic surveillance summary: 28 November 2024 week 47
Updated 19 December 2024
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Reporting week 47: 18 to 24 November
During week 47 there were further seasonally expected increases in syndromic indicators for acute respiratory infections, lower respiratory tract infections and acute bronchiolitis, particularly in children aged under 1 and 1 to 4 years. There were increases reported in emergency department (ED) and ambulance ‘impact of cold’ indicators in line with an Amber Cold Weather Alert that was in place over parts of England during the reporting week.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system
During week 47, NHS 111 triaged calls and online assessments for acute respiratory infections continued to increase but remained at seasonally expected levels. The further increases were particularly observed in the under 1 and 5 to 14 years age groups. Triaged calls for vomiting increased in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years.
Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP in hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 47, upper and lower respiratory tract infection consultation rates increased in children under 15 years of age. Bronchiolitis consultations continued to increase in children under 5 years of age in line with expected levels. There was a small increase observed in influenza-like illness rates however they remained in line with expected levels.
GP in hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system
During week 47 GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections increased, particularly in children aged under 1 and 1 to 4 years. There were also further increases in acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis, again in the under 1 and 1 to 4 years age groups. There was a sharp increase in influenza-like illness during week 47, however this was particularly noted in the over 65 years age group and was linked to known outbreaks in care homes across parts of the country.
GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins
Emergency department syndromic surveillance system
During week 47, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections (ARI) increased and continued at above seasonally expected levels. Attendances for acute bronchiolitis in children aged under 1 and 1 to 4 years increased, but overall activity remained at expected levels. There was an increase in influenza-like illness attendances in adults aged 15 to 44 and 45 to 64 years, although overall activity remained largely in line with seasonal expectations. There was a sharp increase in ‘impact of cold’ attendances during week 47, particularly in the North and Midlands regions and 15 years and over age groups. This activity was in line with an Amber Cold Weather Alert that was in place over parts of England during the reporting week.
Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins
Ambulance syndromic surveillance system
During week 47, ambulance dispatch calls for difficulty breathing and ‘cardiac or respiratory arrest’ continued to increase. Calls for ‘impact of heat or cold’ increased in line with an Amber Cold Weather Alert that was in place over parts of England during the reporting week. There was also an increase in injury calls in the North West and Yorkshire and Humber coinciding with this Alert.