Virus WAtch Ending Week of 13 July 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza activity continued to increase this week, with A/H1N1 virus predominant.

• Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs), influenza notifications, proportion testing positive and hospitalisations associated with influenza all increased this week.
• The majority of influenza viruses subtyped in recent weeks have been influenza A/H1N1, with a fall in the proportion of A/H3 and influenza B viruses detected, .
• Detections of respiratory syncytial virus increased this week and remain high.

Gastroenteritis

•  Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs are within expected levels.

Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles presentations to sentinel GPs remain above expected levels; chickenpox presentations remain low.
• Two confirmed cases of measles were notified; one in an unvaccinated hospital contact of an imported case and one in an unvaccinated infant from the Philippines. No confirmed cases of mumps or rubella were reported.

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