HPS Weekly National Seasonal Respiratory Report - week ending 11 February 2018

In week 6, the overall assessment remains yellow (normal season activity).

• There has been a further reduction in the GP consultation rates for ILI which are now below the threshold for normal seasonal activity. The community influenza transmission assessment remains yellow (normal season activity) due to continuing detections of influenza in the GP sentinel swabbing scheme.
• The colour indicator for influenza in closed settings remains yellow (normal season activity). There is continuing reductions in virological detections of influenza in secondary care.
• In week 6, no statistically significant all-cause mortality excess was observed. It is difficult to assess the contribution of influenza to the very high* statistically significant excess in all-cause mortality reported in weeks 52, 1 and 2, but ICU mortality due to laboratory confirmed influenza remains within normal seasonal range.
• Vaccine uptake rates increased in week 3. It’s not too late to be vaccinated - vaccination of those eligible for seasonal influenza remains the most important preventative measure to reduce influenza.
• 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.

ERRATUM: Please note that the EuroMOMO table on page 10 has been updated. The previous report for week 6 contained a duplication error. The excess all cause mortality was high in week 3.