Virus WAtch Week Ending 7th September 2014

Megan Reilly

VirusWAtch Week Ending 7 September 2014

Influenza and Influenza-like Illnesses (ILI)

Summary: Influenza activity is declining. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity was relatively stable this week.

  • Indicators of influenza activity, including notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza, ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners (GPs), Emergency Department ILI presentations and influenza-associated hospitalisations decreased this week.
  • The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1; epidemic A/H3N2 activity in the West Kimberley region continues to decrease. Influenza B continues to circulate at a low level.
  • Detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses decreased or remained stable this week.

 Gastroenteritis

  • Gastroenteritis presentations to sentinel GPs and EDs are relatively stable and at expected levels.

 Varicella and Viral Rashes

  • Shingles and chickenpox presentations to GPs and sentinel EDs continue to fluctuate at around baseline levels.
  • No confirmed cases of measles, mumps or rubella were reported.

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