Virus WAtch Week Ending 14 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus detections continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity remain variable. ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) decreased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased. Influenza virus detections and notifications are relatively steady, with influenza B (71%) and influenza A/H3N2 (26%) viruses dominating detections. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus detections decreased marginally, but respiratory syncytial virus activity continues […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 7 June 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Non-influenza respiratory virus detections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity are variable, and while no upward trend is clearly apparent, we may be nearing the beginning of the influenza season. ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased and remain low. Influenza virus detections are relatively steady, with […]

Since May 2015, the Republic of Korea has been investigating an outbreak of MERS. It is the largest known outbreak of MERS outside the Arabian Peninsula.  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to closely monitor the MERS situation globally and work with partners to better understand the risks of this virus, including the source, how it spreads, and how infections might be prevented. You can stay up-to-date on the situation by visiting the MERS home page: http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/mers/index.html The CDC […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 31 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza-like activity increased this week, but influenza virus detections remain steady, and increases in non-influenza virus activity, particularly RSV, appear to be responsible. Influenza B virus dominates influenza activity at present. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week. Influenza virus detections and hospitalisations for influenza remain relatively steady. Influenza B constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped […]

The Australian Government has released the first National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy to guide the response to the threat of antibiotic misuse and resistance. The strategy was developed in partnership with industry and government, and will guide action by governments, health professionals, veterinarians, farmers and communities to reduce the emergence of resistant bacteria. The report is available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-amr.htm

Virus WAtch Week Ending 24 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Some indicators of influenza activity increased slightly this week, but the influenza season has not clearly commenced. Influenza B virus continues to be predominant, and RSV activity is increasing. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased this week but ILI presentations to sentinel Emergency Departments (EDs) remained steady. Influenza B constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped this week; influenza A/H3N2 and, to a lesser extent, […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 17 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza activity increased slightly this week, but remain at inter-seasonal levels. Influenza B virus is predominant at present. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and Emergency Departments (EDs) increased this week. Influenza B constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped this week; influenza A/H3N2 and, to a lesser extent, influenza A/H1N1, continue to co-circulate. Overall non-influenza respiratory virus activity remains low. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis presentations […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 10 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza activity remain relatively steady, at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased, while presentations to Emergency Departments (EDs) remained steady this week. Influenza B and A/H3N2 viruses are predominant at present. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity decreased this week. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs continue to fluctuate within expected levels. Rotavirus detections increased this week. Varicella and Viral Rashes […]

VirusWAtch Week Ending 3 May 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza activity remain relatively steady, at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and Emergency Departments remained steady this week. Influenza B and A/H3N2 constituted the majority of influenza viruses subtyped this week. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity decreased this week. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs continue to fluctuate within expected levels. Rotavirus detections increased this week; norovirus detections decreased. Varicella and […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 26 April 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Indicators of influenza activity remain relatively steady, at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) were steady but presentations and admissions to sentinel Emergency Departments (EDs) increased this week. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate. Respiratory syncytial virus activity appears to be increasing. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis […]