Weekly Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infection Report

Current level of activity:	Baseline
Trend:	Decreasing
News:	Influenza continues to be confirmed in Wales, although overall activity has decreased. RSV cases are now at baseline levels.

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

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 2.2 consultations per 100,000 practice population.
The rate decreased compared to week 10 (4.9 consultations per 100,000).

Virological surveillance update

74 surveillance samples from patients with ILI symptoms collected by sentinel GPs and community pharmacies during Week 11. Of the 74 samples, ten tested positive for parainfluenza, ten for rhinovirus, five for seasonal coronaviruses, five for SARS-CoV-2, four for human metapneumovirus, four for enterovirus, four for influenza B, three for adenovirus and two for RSV (as at 22/03/2023).
During week 11, 1,624 hospital and non-sentinel GP patient samples underwent full respiratory screen multiplex testing by Public Health Wales Microbiology, of which, 25 (1.3%) were positive for influenza (one for A(H1N1), five for A(H3N2), and 19 for B). 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.
Virological testing data in children up to 5 years of age suggest that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is currently circulating in Wales.

Hospitalisations in confirmed cases of influenza and RSV

The 7-day rolling sum of cases hospitalised within 28 days of an influenza positive test result in the community (or up to two days post-admission) increased to nine during week 11, from two cases in the previous week.
The 7-day rolling sum of cases hospitalised within 28 days of an RSV positive test result in the community (or up to two days post-admission) increased to eight during week 11, from five in the previous week.
For further information see the Public Health Wales Dashboard on hospital admissions in ARI cases

As of week 10, influenza consultations increased in Northern Ireland, and in Scotland and remained stable in England. 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 10, six countries reported baseline activity, 15 countries reported low-intensity (across the Region), 18 reported medium-intensity activity, and one reported high intensity-activity.
For more information on European level influenza surveillance see Flu News Europe

The WHO reported on 20/03/2023 that global influenza activity has decreased with influenza A(H1N1) predominating.
See full WHO influenza update

On 08/02/2022 WHO reported one laboratory confirmed case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Globally, 2,603 laboratory confirmed cases of human infection with MERS-CoV, including 935 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