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 […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 19 April 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Some indicators of influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity showed signs of increasing activity this week. ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and admissions to sentinel Emergency Departments (EDs) increased this week. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B constituting the majority of subtyped viruses. Non-influenza respiratory virus detections increased marginally this week. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel […]

Virus WAtch Week Ending 12 April 2015 Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI) Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity remain low and at inter-seasonal levels. ILI presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) and general practitioners (GPs) remain low. Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 continues to co-circulate. Non-influenza respiratory virus detections declined this week. Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs increased this week […]