Virus WAtch Week Ending 7 June 2015
Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)
Summary: Non-influenza respiratory virus detections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus, continue to increase. Indicators of influenza virus activity are variable, and while no upward trend is clearly apparent, we may be nearing the beginning of the influenza season.
- ILI presentations and admissions to sentinel emergency departments (EDs) increased this week, whereas ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs) decreased and remain low.
- Influenza virus detections are relatively steady, with influenza B and influenza A/H3N2 comprising 98% of influenza viruses subtyped.
- Non-influenza respiratory virus detections continue to increase, particularly respiratory syncytial virus activity.
Gastroenteritis
- Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs declined this week.
Rotavirus detections have increased over recent weeks, while norovirus activity is variable.
Varicella and Viral Rashes
- Shingles and chickenpox presentations to sentinel EDs and GPs are near or below baseline levels.
- No cases of rubella were confirmed this week, but one case of measles was confirmed in a young adult infected in Bali.
- Several additional cases of mumps have been confirmed as part of an outbreak in highly vaccinated Aboriginal children in the Kimberley region, with spread to boarding schools in Perth and Esperance.
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