Virus WAtch Week Ending 26 April 2015

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Indicators of influenza activity remain relatively steady, at inter-seasonal levels.

• ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) were steady but presentations and admissions to sentinel Emergency Departments (EDs) increased this week.
• Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low, with influenza A/H3N2 constituting the majority of subtyped viruses; influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate.
• Respiratory syncytial virus activity appears to be increasing.

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 and chickenpox presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs are near baseline levels.
• No cases of measles, mumps or rubella were confirmed this week.

(To subscribe to Virus WAtch Updates, send an email with your full name, e-mail address and “subscribe” in the subject heading to virus.watch@health.wa.gov.au)