Virus WAtch Week Ending 27 July 2014

Megan Reilly

Virus WAtch Week Ending 27 July 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza activity increased this week, with A/H1N1 virus remaining the predominant subtype.

  • Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and sentinel emergency departments (EDs), proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated hospitalisations continued to increase this week.
  • Notifications of influenza cases increased by 28% this week.
  • The majority of influenza viruses subtyped remains influenza A/H1N1, but A/H3 and influenza B viruses continue to co-circulate.
  • Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses stabilised or decreased this week, with respiratory syncytial virus continuing to be the predominant virus circulating.

Gastroenteritis

  • Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs increased slightly this week, but presentations to sentinel EDs remain within expected levels.

Varicella and Viral Rashes

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

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