Influenza Weekly Surveillance Bulletin
Northern Ireland, Week 52 (25 - 31 December)
Summary
All indicators of influenza virus activity continue to increase. GP consultation rates for combined flu/ FLI increased from 123.4/100,000 population (updated) in week 51 to 179.5/100,000 in week 52 (45% increase).
o flu/FLI rates remain well above the Northern Ireland threshold (70/100,000 population);
o flu/FLI rates were highest in the 15-44 years age group. Out-of-hours flu/FLI call rates have increased from 37.0 per 100,000 population in week 51 to 139.7 per 100,000 in week 52, reflecting the holiday period. Flu/FLI rates were also highest in the 15-44 years age group. The number of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 detections increased from 136 in week 51 (updated) to 185 in week 52. 28 influenza B detections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) weekly detections increased from 23 (updated) in week 51 to 68 in week 52 (126% increase).
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The proportion of samples (sentinel and non-sentinel) that tested positive for all flu types in week 52 was 51% (44% influenza A and 7% influenza B).
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The proportion of deaths related to respiratory keywords increased from 28% in week 51 to 30% in week 52. In week 52, there were 287 registered deaths, of which 87 related to these specific respiratory infections.
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Northern Ireland, Week 52 (25 - 31 December)
Summary
All indicators of influenza virus activity continue to increase. GP consultation rates for combined flu/ FLI increased from 123.4/100,000 population (updated) in week 51 to 179.5/100,000 in week 52 (45% increase).
o flu/FLI rates remain well above the Northern Ireland threshold (70/100,000 population);
o flu/FLI rates were highest in the 15-44 years age group. Out-of-hours flu/FLI call rates have increased from 37.0 per 100,000 population in week 51 to 139.7 per 100,000 in week 52, reflecting the holiday period. Flu/FLI rates were also highest in the 15-44 years age group. The number of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 detections increased from 136 in week 51 (updated) to 185 in week 52. 28 influenza B detections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) weekly detections increased from 23 (updated) in week 51 to 68 in week 52 (126% increase).
...
The proportion of samples (sentinel and non-sentinel) that tested positive for all flu types in week 52 was 51% (44% influenza A and 7% influenza B).
...
The proportion of deaths related to respiratory keywords increased from 28% in week 51 to 30% in week 52. In week 52, there were 287 registered deaths, of which 87 related to these specific respiratory infections.
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