Virus WAtch Week Week Ending 7 December 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza activity is low and at inter-seasonal level.

• ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and emergency departments (EDs) remain low.
• Routine and sentinel detections of influenza virus remain low.
• Influenza A/H3N2, influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B continue to co-circulate at low levels.
• Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses are fluctuating at low levels.

Gastroenteritis

• Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs decreased this week but remain in the high-range compared to previous years.
• Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel EDs remain well above baseline levels.
• Norovirus and rotavirus detections decreased but remain elevated.

Varicella and Viral Rashes

• Shingles and chickenpox presentations to sentinel EDs and GPs increased this week, and are around or above baseline levels.
• One case of measles, acquired in Bali, was confirmed in a young adult with unknown vaccination history. No cases of mumps or rubella were reported this week.

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