Re: 2011-2012: HPA Weekly National Influenza Reports.
Summary of UK surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory illnesses
19 January 2012 ? Week 3
Overall influenza activity remains at low levels in week 2 2012 in the UK. Weekly influenza GP consultation rates remained low in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. o In week 2 (ending 15 January 2012), the weekly primary care ILI consultation rate was low in England (7.8 per 100,000), Wales (7.2 per 100,000), Northern Ireland (25.4 per 100,000) and Scotland (14.1 per 100,000).
o The proportion of NHS Direct calls for cold/flu remained below the early warning threshold for influenza. The proportion of calls for fever was below threshold levels.
o One new acute respiratory disease outbreak was reported in week 2 2012. Virology
o 28 (3.6%) of the 770 respiratory specimens reported to Data Mart (England) tested positive for influenza in week 2. The majority of positive samples were influenza A(H3) (25 A(H3) and three A unknown subtype). The proportion of samples positive for RSV decreased, with the highest positivity in the under five year olds. The proportion of samples positive for hMPV increased slightly, and remained stable for parainfluenza, rhinovirus and adenovirus.
o Four influenza A(H3) detections were recorded in the UK sentinel GP schemes in week 2 2012, an overall positivity of 3.8%. Disease severity and mortality
o Eight new admissions to ICU/HDU with confirmed influenza were reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 2.
o No new ICU/HDU confirmed influenza deaths have been reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 2.
o Excess all-cause mortality remains within expected levels for this time of year for England and Wales up to week 2 as calculated by the HPA with the EuroMOMO algorithm. No excess mortality was seen in Scotland in the last four weeks. Influenza vaccination
o Up to the week ending 15 January 2012, 73.6% of people in England aged 65 years and over had received the 2011/12 influenza vaccine (provisional data). For those in a clinical risk group aged under 65 years, provisional uptake was 50.9%.
o Amongst pregnant women, the provisional uptake was 26.5%.
o Provisional data from the third monthly collection of influenza vaccine uptake by frontline healthcare workers show 43.0% were vaccinated by 31 December 2011. International situation
o Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere remains mostly below seasonal threshold levels and is currently dominated by A(H3) viruses.
o Countries in the tropical zone are mostly reporting low activity and transmission in the temperate countries of the southern hemisphere is at typical inter-seasonal levels in most countries. HPA guidance on the use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza this season is available on the HPA website.
Summary of UK surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory illnesses
19 January 2012 ? Week 3
Overall influenza activity remains at low levels in week 2 2012 in the UK. Weekly influenza GP consultation rates remained low in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. o In week 2 (ending 15 January 2012), the weekly primary care ILI consultation rate was low in England (7.8 per 100,000), Wales (7.2 per 100,000), Northern Ireland (25.4 per 100,000) and Scotland (14.1 per 100,000).
o The proportion of NHS Direct calls for cold/flu remained below the early warning threshold for influenza. The proportion of calls for fever was below threshold levels.
o One new acute respiratory disease outbreak was reported in week 2 2012. Virology
o 28 (3.6%) of the 770 respiratory specimens reported to Data Mart (England) tested positive for influenza in week 2. The majority of positive samples were influenza A(H3) (25 A(H3) and three A unknown subtype). The proportion of samples positive for RSV decreased, with the highest positivity in the under five year olds. The proportion of samples positive for hMPV increased slightly, and remained stable for parainfluenza, rhinovirus and adenovirus.
o Four influenza A(H3) detections were recorded in the UK sentinel GP schemes in week 2 2012, an overall positivity of 3.8%. Disease severity and mortality
o Eight new admissions to ICU/HDU with confirmed influenza were reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 2.
o No new ICU/HDU confirmed influenza deaths have been reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 2.
o Excess all-cause mortality remains within expected levels for this time of year for England and Wales up to week 2 as calculated by the HPA with the EuroMOMO algorithm. No excess mortality was seen in Scotland in the last four weeks. Influenza vaccination
o Up to the week ending 15 January 2012, 73.6% of people in England aged 65 years and over had received the 2011/12 influenza vaccine (provisional data). For those in a clinical risk group aged under 65 years, provisional uptake was 50.9%.
o Amongst pregnant women, the provisional uptake was 26.5%.
o Provisional data from the third monthly collection of influenza vaccine uptake by frontline healthcare workers show 43.0% were vaccinated by 31 December 2011. International situation
o Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere remains mostly below seasonal threshold levels and is currently dominated by A(H3) viruses.
o Countries in the tropical zone are mostly reporting low activity and transmission in the temperate countries of the southern hemisphere is at typical inter-seasonal levels in most countries. HPA guidance on the use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza this season is available on the HPA website.
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