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 to sentinel GPs and EDs continue to fluctuate within expected levels.
• Rotavirus and norovirus detections decreased this week.

Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles presentations to sentinel GPs remain above baseline level.
• Chickenpox presentations are within expected limits.
• No cases of measles or rubella were confirmed this week.
• Several additional cases of mumps have been confirmed, part of an outbreak in highly vaccinated Aboriginal children in the Kimberley region, with spread to a boarding school in Perth, and most likely to another boarding school near Esperance.

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