Weekly Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infection Report

Current level of activity:	Low
Trend:	Increasing
News:	Confirmed influenza cases are increasing in line with the beginnings of seasonal activity. RSV cases continue to be confirmed at very high intensity levels

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

The GP consultation rate for influenza in Wales during week 46 reported through the GP Sentinel Surveillance of Infections Scheme was 3.5 consultations per 100,000 practice population, and remains below the Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) threshold for baseline activity (11.0 consultations per 100,000).
The rate decreased compared to week 44 (7.0 consultations per 100,000).

During week 46, 40 surveillance samples from patients with ILI symptoms were submitted by sentinel GPs and community pharmacies for testing as at 23/11/2022. Of the 40 samples, three tested positive for influenza (one for A(H3N2), one for A(H1N1) and one for influenza B), four for RSV, eight for rhinovirus, two for adenovirus, two for parainfluenza, two for human metapneumovirus, one for enterovirus and one for SARS-CoV.
During week 46, 1,486 hospital and non-sentinel GP patients were tested for respiratory infections by Public Health Wales Microbiology of which, 119 were positive for influenza (44 for A(H1N1), 66 for A(H3N2), three A(not typed), and six influenza B). A number of other causes of acute respiratory infection were identified.
Virological testing data in children up to 5 years of age suggest that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is currently circulating in Wales.

As of week 45, influenza consultations increased in England, Northern Ireland.
All remained below baseline levels in all countries. UK summary data is available from the UKHSA Influenza and COVID-19 Surveillance Report.
The WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that during week 45, 24 countries reported baseline-intensity (across the Region), 13 reported low-intensity (across the Region) and one reported high-intensity.
For more information on European level influenza surveillance see Flu News Europe

The WHO reported on 14/11/2022 that global influenza activity remained at low levels, though an increasing trend has been observed in the northern hemisphere. In the temperate zones of the southern hemisphere, overall influenza activity has plateaued.
See full WHO influenza update

On 16/11/2022 WHO reported four laboratory confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) from 29/12/2021 to 31/10/2022. Globally, 2,600 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with MERS-CoV, including 894 associated deaths, have officially been reported to WHO since 2012.
The latest WHO Influenza at Human-Animal Interface summary (08/04/2022 to 13/05/2022) reports that there have been no publicly available records from China or other countries on avian influenza A(H7N9) in recent months. Since February 2013, a total of 1,568 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9), including at least 616 deaths, 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