Virus WAtch Week Ending 21 September 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza and non-influenza respiratory virus activity continues to decline.

• Most indicators of influenza activity, including notifications, detections of influenza virus, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza, and influenza-associated hospitalisations decreased this week.
• Influenza A/H1N1, influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B viruses continue to co-circulate.
• Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses continued to decline this week.

Gastroenteritis

• Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) remain stable this week. Presentations to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased but remain below baseline.

 Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles and chickenpox presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) increased above baseline levels.
• Three cases of mumps were reported to the Department of Health this week – follow-up information is pending.
• No confirmed cases of measles or rubella were reported.

 

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