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HPA National Influenza Report

A full report will be published weekly.  For further information on the surveillance schemes mentioned in this report, please see the Sources of UK Flu Data page.

Figures (including all those found in this report) displaying data from these schemes are available to download as a pdf file:

HPA Weekly National Influenza Graphs (PDF, 710 KB)

PDF versions of previous reports are available on the archive page. 

This week's report is available as a pdf:

 

HPA National Influenza Report - week 21 (2012) (PDF, 613 KB)

  

 

Report published 24 May 2012

 

GP consultation rates remain low and indicators of influenza activity are low. 

 

 

 

Weekly influenza GP consultation rates remain low in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  • Weekly influenza GP consultation rates remain low in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
  • In week 20 (ending 20 May 2012), the weekly primary care ILI consultation rate remained low in England (7.2 per 100,000), Scotland (6.1 per 100,000), Northern Ireland (9.6 per 100,000) and Wales (3.9 per 100,000).
  • The weekly proportion of NHS Direct calls for cold/flu and fever (5-14yrs) remain below the early warning thresholds for influenza in week 20.
  • Two new acute respiratory disease outbreaks were reported in England in week 20 2012 compared to three in week 19.
  • 5 (1.0%) of the 497 respiratory specimens reported to Data Mart (England) tested positive for influenza in week 20 (1 A(H3), 1 A (subtype not known) and 3 B), a slightly decreased positivity compared to week 19. The proportion of samples positive remained low for RSV, decreased for rhinovirus and remained stable for parainfluenza, adenovirus and hMPV.
  • No influenza positive detections were recorded through the two English GP-based sentinel schemes.
  • The majority of A(H3N2) viruses are antigenically similar to the 2011/12 A(H3N2) vaccine component.
  • One new admission to ICU/HDU with confirmed influenza was reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 20 compared to three in week 10.
  • No new ICU/HDU confirmed influenza deaths have been reported through the USISS mandatory scheme across the UK in week 20.
  • Excess all-cause mortality was seen in 65+ year olds in week 20 in England and Wales as calculated by the HPA with the EuroMOMO algorithm. No excess mortality was seen in Scotland in week 20 2012.
  • Following a WHO consultation, it is recommended that vaccines for use in the 2012/13 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following viruses: an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
  • The annual CMO letter on influenza immunisation has been published along with the 2012/13 seasonal flu plan on the Department of Health website. 
  •  In Europe, the 2011/12 season is coming to an end. The large majority of influenza viruses have been influenza A(H3N2) with only very small numbers of A(H1N1)pdm09 and B detected. A proportion of A(H3) viruses characterised have not perfectly matched the current vaccine strain, which is consistent with the decision of WHO to recommend a change of A(H3N2) strain in the vaccine in 2012/13.
  • Elsewhere in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere influenza activity has passed its seasonal peak in most countries and different viruses have predominated in different parts of the world.
  • This is the last full report this season. HPA will be producing a weekly summary report over the summer.

 


Last reviewed: 24 May 2012