HPS Weekly National Seasonal Respiratory Report - week ending 21 April 2019

​​​​​In week 16 the rate of GP consultations for ILI is stable and below the threshold for normal seasonal activity. Influenza laboratory detections are at baseline activity levels in secondary care and in general practices. 

Influenza A(H1N1) is the dominant influenza strain thus far this season and is affecting a younger age group than observed last season which was dominated by influenza A(H3N2). 

A Scottish addendum to the Public Health England guidance on use of antiviral agents for the treatment and prophylaxis of seasonal influenza has been published on the HPS website​. 

An increase in community circulation of influenza prompted the issue of a CMO letter in week 2 2019 advising that GPs may prescribe antivirals.​