Research and analysis

Syndromic surveillance summary: 8 February 2024 week 5

Updated 2 January 2025

Reporting week 5: 29 January to 4 February.

During week 5, there were further increases observed across a number of respiratory syndromic indicators in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. However, nationally NHS 111 cold/flu calls, emergency department (ED) acute respiratory infections and GP in-hours and ED influenza-like illness indicators remained stable overall. There were further increases in GP in-hours consultations and ED attendances for scarlet fever during week 5.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance system

During week 5, NHS 111 calls and online assessments for cold/flu remained stable overall. There were continued increases observed in fever calls in the 1 to 4 years age group, and cough calls in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. Sore throat calls and online assessments also increased. Eye problems calls increased during week 5 in children aged under 5 years.

Remote health advice syndromic surveillance bulletins

GP in hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 5, there were further increases in GP in-hours consultations for upper respiratory tract infections particularly in children aged 1 to 4 and 5 to 14 years. Influenza-like illness remained stable nationally but there were increases noted in the 1 to 4 years and 65+ years age groups. Consultations for scarlet fever continued to increase in children aged 5 to 14 years, however rates remain similar to seasonally expected levels. The consultation rate for measles remained elevated and above baseline levels during week 5.

GP in-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance system

During week 5, GP out-of-hours contacts for acute respiratory infections increased slightly overall but with a further increase noted in children aged 1 to 4 years. Influenza-like illness contacts decreased overall during week 5, while gastrointestinal indicators remained stable and in line with seasonally expected trends.

GP out-of-hours syndromic surveillance bulletins

Emergency department syndromic surveillance system

During week 5, ED attendances for acute respiratory infections remained stable but elevated, however there were further increases observed in the 5 to 14 years age group. There was a further increase in attendances for scarlet fever, particularly in children aged 5 to 14 years; attendances remain above seasonally expected levels.

Emergency department syndromic surveillance bulletins

Ambulance syndromic surveillance system

During week 5, daily ambulance calls for difficulty breathing and 鈥榗ardiac or respiratory arrest鈥� remained stable. Calls for 鈥榦verdose or injection or poisoning鈥� continued to increase, in line with expected trends.

Ambulance syndromic surveillance bulletins