Virus WAtch Week Ending 20 July 2014

Megan Reilly

Virus WAtch Week Ending 20 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), influenza notifications, proportion testing positive and hospitalisations associated with influenza continued to increase this week.
  • ILI activity at sentinel emergency departments (ED) stabilised 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.
  • Respiratory syncytial virus continues to predominate among detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses.

 Gastroenteritis

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

Varicella and Viral Rashes

  •  Shingles presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs remain just above expected levels; chickenpox presentations remain low.
  • No confirmed cases of measles, mumps or rubella were reported.

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