Virus WAtch Week Ending 3 August 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: There are early indications that influenza activity may have peaked, but detections remain high. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity is declining.

• Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs), notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated hospitalisations were similar to or showed small declines relative to the previous reporting week.
• The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1, but there was a relative increase in A/H3 detections and influenza B continues to circulate at a low level.
• Overall detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses decreased this week, primarily associated with a marked reduction in respiratory syncytial virus activity.

 Gastroenteritis

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

Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs remain at or just above expected levels.
• One case of measles was confirmed in a traveller returning from the Philippines.
• No confirmed cases of rubella or mumps were reported.

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