Virus WAtch Week Ending 16 November 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza and non-influenza virus activity continue to decline and are at inter-seasonal levels.

•  Detections of influenza virus decreased this week.
• Hospitalisations for influenza and presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) for ILI remained stable, and are at baseline level.
• Influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B continue to co-circulate at low levels.
• Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses continue to decline.

Gastroenteritis

• Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and sentinel EDs decreased but the latter are above expected levels.
• Several outbreaks of gastroenteritis at aged care and child-care facilities have been reported to the Department of Health in recent weeks, with some confirmed to be due to norovirus.
• Overall, norovirus and rotavirus detections decreased this week.

 Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles and chickenpox presentations to sentinel EDs and GPs remain near or below baseline.
• No cases of measles, mumps or rubella were reported this week.

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