Weekly Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infection Report

For the latest annual influenza and acute respiratory infections in Wales reports see: Annual influenza surveillance and influenza vaccination uptake reports
 

Weekly surveillance reports

Latest report: Public Health Wales Influenza Surveillance Report: Week 40 2024 

Latest vaccination coverage data: Public Health Wales Influenza Vaccination Coverage Downloadable Data

Weekly Integrated respiratory infection report

We are currently working to integrate the Weekly Public Health Wales Influenza Surveillance report with our previously separate weekly COVID-19 surveillance reports. The new format report is available here: Weekly integrated respiratory infection summary: Week 40 2024 

From November 2024 we will cease production of the Weekly Public Health Wales Influenza Surveillance report and only the new Weekly Integrated Respiratory Infection Surveillance Report will be published.

Key points

In Wales:

Flu activity surveillance update

• The GP consultation rate for influenza in Wales during week 40 reported through the GP Sentinel Surveillance of Infections Scheme was 2.3 consultations per 100,000 practice population.
• The rate decreased compared to week 39 (3.4 consultations per 100,000).

Virological surveillance update 

• 125 surveillance samples from patients with ILI symptoms collected by sentinel GPs and community pharmacies during Week 40. Of the 125 samples, 33 tested positive for rhinovirus, four for SARS-CoV-2, seven for enterovirus, two for adenovirus, three for mycoplasma, two for influenza A(H1N1), one for influenza A(H3N2), one influenza A untyped, three for RSV, one for human metapneumovirus, and four for parainfluenza as at 09/10/2024.
• During week 40, 1,204 hospital and non-sentinel GP patient samples underwent full respiratory screen multiplex testing by Public Health Wales Microbiology, of which, 16 were positive for influenza. A number of other causes of acute respiratory infection were identified (see full report). These tests are usually prioritised for symptomatic patients in hospitals, or less commonly community settings.
• Confirmed RSV case incidence in children aged under 5 increased and is now at medium intensity levels.

Hospitalisations in confirmed cases of influenza and RSV

• The 7-day rolling sums of cases hospitalised within 28 days of an influenza or RSV positive test result in the community (or up to two days post-admission) were six and three respectively during Week 39 (latest available data), and 70 for SARS-CoV-2 during week 40.
• For further information see the Public Health Wales Dashboard on hospital admissions in ARI cases

In the UK and Europe

• As of week 39, GP ILI consultations increased to 3.2 per 100,000 in Scotland. UK summary data is available from the UKHSA Influenza and COVID-19 Surveillance Report.
• The WHO and the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS) reported that influenza positivity is below the 10% positivity epidemic threshold.
• For more information on European level influenza surveillance see  European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS)

World Overview

• The WHO reported on 02/10/2024, based on data up to 22/09/2024 that in the Northern hemisphere elevated activity continued to be reported in countries in Western Africa (A(H3N2) and influenza B), Middle Africa (H3N2), Western Asia (H1N1 and influenza B viruses), South and South-East Asia (H1N1), Central America and the Caribbean (HN2 viruses).
• In the Southern hemisphere, influenza activity declined overall. However, it was still elevated in some countries in South America (influenza B), Eastern Africa (influenza A and influenza B), and Oceania. See full WHO influenza update

COVID-19

• Latest COVID-19 data from Public Health Wales 

• Latest UK data is available from: UK GOV: Coronavirus Data

• WHO situation updates on COVID-19 are available from: WHO situation updates are available here

MERS-CoV and H7N9 Updates

• WHO was notified of one new MERS cases on 5 September 2024 by the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• The WHO has published an updated assessment of recent influenza A(H5N1) virus events in animals and people. Currently, the global public health risk of influenza A(H5N1) viruses to be low, while the risk of infection for occupationally exposed persons is low to moderate, depending on the risk mitigation measures in place. Transmission between animals continues to occur and, to date, a limited number of human infections have been reported.
• Updates are available from WHO Global Alert and Response
• Latest WHO Influenza Monthly Risk Assessment Summary
• Public Health Wales has published advice to health professionals which is available at MERS-CoV and Influenza H7N9 infection control preparedness
   

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports for Wales

Reports Archive