Flu Update – Week 43, 2014

Update by Dr J Gallagher, Employment Health Advisors (EHA):

All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 43 2014.

The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 6.2 per 100,000 population in week 43 2014, remaining low, and stable compared to the updated rate of 4.2 per 100,000 reported during week 42 2014. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population). ILI rates remain at low levels in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services remained at low levels during week 43 2014.

No confirmed influenza positive specimens were reported from the NVRL from sentinel or non-sentinel sources during week 43 2014. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) positivity increased during week 43 2014, with 9 (9.8%) positive specimens reported from the NVRL from non-sentinel sources. Sporadic detections of adenovirus, parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) have been reported for the season to date. No acute respiratory outbreaks were reported to HPSC during week 43 2014. In Europe and the United States, overall influenza activity remained at low levels. In Canada, influenza indicators in some regions continued to increase.

 

Flu Update – Week 42, 2014

Update by Dr J Gallagher, Employment Health Advisors (EHA):

All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 42 2014. 

The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 4.3 per 100,000 population in week 42 2014, remaining low, and stable compared to the updated rate of 6.8 per 100,000 reported during week 41 2014. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population). ILI rates remain at low levels in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services increased slightly, however remained at low levels during week 42 2014. One confirmed influenza (AH3) case was reported from the NVRL from non-sentinel sources during week 42 2014. This is the first confirmed influenza case of the 2014/2015 season. Five respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), two parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) and one human metapneumovirus (hMPV) positive specimens were reported from the NVRL from non-sentinel sources during week 42 2014.

During week 42 2014, one confirmed influenza hospitalised case was notified. No confirmed influenza cases admitted to ICU were reported to HPSC this season. There were no reports of any influenza-associated deaths during week 42 2014. No acute respiratory outbreaks were reported to HPSC during week 42 2014. In Europe and the United States, overall influenza activity remained at inter-seasonal levels. In Canada, influenza indicators in some regions continued to increase.

 

Flu Update – Week 41, 2014

Update by Dr J Gallagher, Employment Health Advisors (EHA):

All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 41 2014

The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was 7.3 per 100,000 population in week 41 2014, a slight increase compared to the updated rate of 2.0 per 100,000 reported during week 40 2014. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population). ILI rates remain at low levels in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services were at low levels for week 41 2014. No influenza positive specimens were reported from the NVRL from sentinel or non-sentinel sources. There were no reports of any influenza-associated deaths during week 41 2014. In Europe, overall, influenza activity and circulation of influenza viruses remained low.

 

Flu Update – Week 40, 2014

Update by Dr J Gallagher, Employment Health Advisors (EHA):

All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 40 2014

The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 2.2 per 100,000 population in week 40 2014, remaining low and stable compared to the rate of 2.9 per 100,000 reported during week 39 2014. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population). ILI rates remain at low levels in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services were at low levels for week 40 2014. No influenza positive specimens were reported from the NVRL from sentinel or non-sentinel sources. No confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified. There were no reports of any influenza-associated deaths during week 40. In Europe, low influenza activity was reported throughout the summer period. Globally, the southern hemisphere influenza season seems to be coming to an end. In Europe and North America, influenza activity remains at inter-seasonal levels.