Skip to main content

Weekly Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infection Report

Current level of influenza activity: Low
Trend: Decreasing
News: Influenza is still circulating. COVID-19 cases have decreased in recent weeks. RSV activity in children under 5 years has decreased to low intensity levels.

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 12 2024 

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

 

Key points

 

In Wales:

Flu activity surveillance update

  • The GP consultation rate for influenza in Wales during week 11 reported through the GP Sentinel Surveillance of Infections Scheme was 6.3 consultations per 100,000 practice population (latest data available).
  • The rate increased compared to week 10 (6.1 consultations per 100,000) (latest data available).

Virological surveillance update 

  • 153 surveillance samples from patients with ILI symptoms collected by sentinel GPs and community pharmacies during Week 12.  Of the 153 samples, 13 tested positive for influenza A (eight influenza A(H1N1), two influenza A(H3), and three influenza A(not subtyped)), seven influenza B, 19 rhinovirus, 14 seasonal coronaviruses, 14 mycoplasma, nine hMPV, six parainfluenza, three adenovirus, three SARS-CoV2 and two RSV as at 27/03/2024)
  • During week 12, 1,462 hospital and non-sentinel GP patient samples underwent full respiratory screen multiplex testing by Public Health Wales Microbiology, of which, 107 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 decreased in the most recent week and remains at low 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 43 and 6 respectively during Week 12, and 19 for SARS-CoV-2 during week 12.
  • For further information see the Public Health Wales Dashboard on hospital admissions in ARI cases

 

In the UK and Europe
  • As of week 11, influenza consultations increased to 5.5 per 100,000 in England and decreased to 7.8 per 100,000 in Scotland in week 11. 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 remains elevated above 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 20/03/2024, based on data up to 10/03/2024 that in the northern hemisphere, influenza activity continued to decline although small increases were reported in some countries in Northern Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean.
  • In the Southern hemisphere, influenza activity is low, however some countries in Tropical South America and South East Asia reported increases in activity since the previous week.
  • Influenza A predominated in both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.
  • See full WHO influenza update
     
COVID-19
 
MERS-CoV and H7N9 Updates
  • On the 10/07/2023 WHO were notified by the United Arab Emirates(UAE) of a case of MERS-CoV. In total, 2,605 laboratory-confirmed cases of locally acquired Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) worldwide, including 936 deaths
  • 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
     

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Reports for Wales

Reports Archive