HPS National Influenza Report - Week ending 14 January 2018

In week 2, the overall assessment remains amber (moderate season activity).

• ​The rate of change in influenza-like illness (ILI) has now slowedconsiderably. Whilst there has been a small increase in ILI rate comparedto last week this is highly suggestive that we are now approaching, or havereached, the peak in GP consultations.
  
• There is evidence that virological detections of influenza have peakedbetween week 51 and week 52 and are now decreasing both in primary andin secondary care.
  
• It is difficult to assess the contribution of influenza to the very high/highstatistically significant excess in all cause mortality reported in weeks 52 &01 and week 02 respectively but ICU mortality due to laboratory confirmedinfluenza is now within normal seasonal range.
  
• It’s not too late to be vaccinated - vaccination of those eligible for seasonalinfluenz​a remains the most important preventative measure to reduceinfluenza.
• An increase in community circulation of influenza prompted the issue of a CMO letter​ in week 50 and the advice that GPs may prescribe antivirals remains in force.​​