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Re: Australia Influenza Surveillance 2014
Updated information is indicated with a *
*New South Wales
Week 32 Ending 10 August 2014
Summary:
For the week ending 10 August 2014, influenza activity in the community across NSW
remained high and laboratory notifications continued to increase.
Emergency Department (ED) surveillance ? influenza-like illness (ILI) presentations to EDs
increased significantly this week and remained high. ILI and pneumonia admissions to critical care
wards increased this week and were above the usual range.
Laboratory surveillance ? Influenza activity increased further this week and was well above the
usual range for this time of year, with the influenza A(H3N2) strain predominating. Reporting of
laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks in aged care facilities remains high.
Community illness surveillance ? data collected from eGPS, ASPREN and FluTracking indicated
high ILI activity in NSW.
Hospitalisations surveillance (FluCAN) ? one new confirmed influenza admission was reported.
Deaths ? 13 deaths linked to influenza reported year during the current influenza season.
National and International influenza surveillance ? the influenza season has commenced
nationally; unlike NSW, the influenza A(H1N1)pdm strain is the predominant strain in most
jurisdictions. Generally low influenza activity worldwide.
For more information: NSW Health - Infectious Diseases
*Queensland
For Period 28 July - 3 August 2014
There were 1,084 notifications reported this week. Of these cases, 102 were attributed to influenza B virus. Of the 982 Influenza A samples, 29 were identified as A(H1N1)pdm09 and 0 as A/H3N2. There were 150 hospital admissions including 16 to ICU.
YTD there were 5,692 notifications reported. Of these cases, 731 were attributed to influenza B virus. Of the 4,961 Influenza A samples, 1,107 were identified as A(H1N1)pdm09 and 79 as A/H3N2.
There have been 768 hospital admissions including 111 to ICU.
For more information: QLD Health
*South Australia
3 August to 9 August 2014
Three hundred and ninety-two cases of influenza were reported this week. Of these, 382 were
characterised as influenza A and ten were characterised as influenza B. There have been 2,149
influenza cases notified year-to-date, compared with 1,282 cases reported for the same period last
year.
Cases comprised of 197 males and 195 females, with a median age of 14 years. Eighty (20%)
notifications were for children aged less than 10 years and 48 (12%) notifications were for persons
aged over 65 years.
The influenza chart shows continuing influenza activity in South Australia.
For more information: SA Health
Tasmania
Issue 4 | 1 August 2014
This report describes influenza activity within Tasmanian during July 2014 up to and including Sunday 27 July
2014. Available data indicate:
- Increased activity in July consistent with a typical influenza season
- Most notifications fo Influenza A with A/H1N1(pdm09) dominating
- Above average % positive tests
- RSV and Rhinovirus continue to circulate
...
Since the last report a further 70 notifications of laboratory-diagnosed influenza have been notified, taking the 2014
total to 194 notifications.
...
Of the 194 influenza notifications received since the start of 2014, 178 (92%) were due to Influenza A virus
infections. The remaining 16 (8%) notifications were infections of Influenza B virus (see Table 1). Some influenza
laboratory isolates undergo further testing to identify subtypes. The most frequently identified Influenza A subtype of
2014 is currently the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype.
Residents from the more populous southern region of Tasmania make up the largest proportion (60%) of the Influenza notifications since the last report.
Adults aged 30-34 years are the 5-year age group with the greatest
number of notifications since the start of 2014.
...
For more information: DHHS Tasmania
*Victoria
Report No 15 Week ending 10/08/14
Summary
Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity remained above baseline levels this week with 5.9 cases per 1000 patients seen.
Data from the National Home Doctor Service (Victorian data) decreased to just below the seasonal threshold.
From the 233 swabs received from surveillance GPs this season (28/4/14 ? 10/8/14) 73 (32%) have been positive
for influenza A, 52 A(H1N1)pdm2009, 15 A(H3N2), 6 untyped, 1 influenza B and 1 influenza C. This week we
received 19 surveillance swabs of which 8 (42%) were positive for influenza A, 7 A(H1N1)pdm2009 and 1
influenza B.
The majority of viruses detected through routine testing this week were influenza A. Of the 181 influenza viruses
detected so far this year 92 were A(H1N1)pdm09, 72 were A(H3N2), 7 are untyped and 10 were influenza B.
This week the Influenza Complications Network (FluCAN) reported 12 hospitalisations, 10 with influenza A
(untyped), 1 influenza B and 1 with influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009. Since 11/4/2014 FluCAN have reported 130
hospitalisations with confirmed influenza, of which 98 were untyped influenza A patients, 25 were A(H1N1)pdm09
and 7 were influenza B, from the 4 Victorian sentinel hospitals.
Of the 101 influenza viruses analysed at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
year to date from Victoria, 90 were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 11 A(H3N2).
The total number of laboratory confirmed notifications to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
(NNDSS) to date was 22,726, of which 2,825 (12%) were from Victoria.
For more information: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
Western Australia
WEEK ENDING 3RD AUGUST 2014
KEY POINTS
INFLUENZA AND INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESSES (ILI)
Summary: There are early indications that influenza activity may have peaked, but detections remain
high. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity is declining.
Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners
(GPs), notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated
hospitalisations were similar to or showed small declines relative to the previous reporting week.
The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1, but there was a relative
increase in A/H3 detections and influenza B continues to circulate at a low level.
Overall detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses decreased this week, primarily
associated with a marked reduction in respiratory syncytial virus activity.
For more information: WA Dept.of Health
*Nationally
For the period to Jan 1- August 16th, 2014 there were 24,663 confirmed Influenza cases.
The majority of notifications have been in NSW with 8,137, QLD had 8,009, VIC 2,825, SA 2,516, WA had 2,196, ACT 383, NT 357 and TAS 240.
For national data: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
Australian Sentinel Practices Research Network (ASPREN)
No. 13, 2014
16th June 2014 ? 29th June 2014
REPORTING
Reports were received from 280 GPs from 8
states and territories during the reporting
period. During weeks 25 and 26 a total of
15,014 and 15,321 consultations were
made, respectively.
INFLUENZA-LIKE-ILLNESS (ILI)
Nationally, ILI notifications decreased over the period with
149 and 116 notifications in week 25 and 26 respectively.
ILI rates reported in this period increased with 10 and 8
cases per 1000 consultations in weeks 25 and 26
respectively, compared to 5 and 10 cases per 1000
consultations in weeks 23 and 24 respectively. For the
same reporting period in 2013, ILI rates were slightly higher
at 11 and 9 cases per 1000 consultations (see Figure 5)
respectively. On a state-by-state basis, it is important to
note the increased ILI rate in Rural WA.
For more information: ASPREN
*Flu Tracking
Flutracking Weekly Interim Report
Week ending 10 August 2014
This survey was sent on Monday 11 August 3:23 and by Thursday 14 August 9:00 we had received 16391 responses
(16275 last week) from 10160 people responding for themselves and 6231 household members across Australia.
Across Australia, fever and cough was reported by 3.5 % of
vaccinated participants and 4.3 % of unvaccinated
participants. Fever, cough and absence from normal duties
was reported by 2.2 % of vaccinated participants and 2.9
% of unvaccinated participants.
For participants this week, 9532/16391 (58.2 %) have
received the seasonal vaccine so far. Of the 3211
participants who identified as working face-to-face with
patients, 2522 (78.5 %) have received the vaccine.
For more information: Flu Tracking
Australian influenza report 2013 - Current report:
Australian Influenza Surveillance Report No 03 - 19 July to 01 August 2014
Nationally influenza activity has continued to increase, with all jurisdictions except Victoria, reporting increasing activity.
As at 1 August 2014, there have been 18,009 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza reported, with 5,827 notifications occurring during the report fortnight.
Nationally influenza A is the predominant influenza virus type. Of those viruses where subtyping data are available, A(H1N1)pdm09 is most common. This trend is consistent across all jurisdictions, except in New South Wales and the ACT where influenza A(H3N2) is circulating at higher levels. The proportion of A(H3N2) in WA has increased in recent weeks however, A(H1N1)pdm09 remains more prevalent.
Influenza virus strains currently circulating within Australia are similar to the strains included in the 2014 vaccine.
The rate of influenza associated hospitalisations has dropped slightly over the past fortnight, with around 10% of cases admitted directly to ICU. The majority of hospital admissions have been associated influenza A infections and the median age of cases is 42 years.
As yet, there is no clear indication of the overall severity of the season.
The WHO has reported that globally influenza activity remains low. Following the recent northern hemisphere season, influenza activity has returned to inter-seasonal levels across most of these regions. In the southern hemisphere, there has been a gradual increase of influenza activity.
For more information: Department of Health
Updated information is indicated with a *
*New South Wales
Week 32 Ending 10 August 2014
Summary:
For the week ending 10 August 2014, influenza activity in the community across NSW
remained high and laboratory notifications continued to increase.
Emergency Department (ED) surveillance ? influenza-like illness (ILI) presentations to EDs
increased significantly this week and remained high. ILI and pneumonia admissions to critical care
wards increased this week and were above the usual range.
Laboratory surveillance ? Influenza activity increased further this week and was well above the
usual range for this time of year, with the influenza A(H3N2) strain predominating. Reporting of
laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks in aged care facilities remains high.
Community illness surveillance ? data collected from eGPS, ASPREN and FluTracking indicated
high ILI activity in NSW.
Hospitalisations surveillance (FluCAN) ? one new confirmed influenza admission was reported.
Deaths ? 13 deaths linked to influenza reported year during the current influenza season.
National and International influenza surveillance ? the influenza season has commenced
nationally; unlike NSW, the influenza A(H1N1)pdm strain is the predominant strain in most
jurisdictions. Generally low influenza activity worldwide.
For more information: NSW Health - Infectious Diseases
*Queensland
For Period 28 July - 3 August 2014
There were 1,084 notifications reported this week. Of these cases, 102 were attributed to influenza B virus. Of the 982 Influenza A samples, 29 were identified as A(H1N1)pdm09 and 0 as A/H3N2. There were 150 hospital admissions including 16 to ICU.
YTD there were 5,692 notifications reported. Of these cases, 731 were attributed to influenza B virus. Of the 4,961 Influenza A samples, 1,107 were identified as A(H1N1)pdm09 and 79 as A/H3N2.
There have been 768 hospital admissions including 111 to ICU.
For more information: QLD Health
*South Australia
3 August to 9 August 2014
Three hundred and ninety-two cases of influenza were reported this week. Of these, 382 were
characterised as influenza A and ten were characterised as influenza B. There have been 2,149
influenza cases notified year-to-date, compared with 1,282 cases reported for the same period last
year.
Cases comprised of 197 males and 195 females, with a median age of 14 years. Eighty (20%)
notifications were for children aged less than 10 years and 48 (12%) notifications were for persons
aged over 65 years.
The influenza chart shows continuing influenza activity in South Australia.
For more information: SA Health
Tasmania
Issue 4 | 1 August 2014
This report describes influenza activity within Tasmanian during July 2014 up to and including Sunday 27 July
2014. Available data indicate:
- Increased activity in July consistent with a typical influenza season
- Most notifications fo Influenza A with A/H1N1(pdm09) dominating
- Above average % positive tests
- RSV and Rhinovirus continue to circulate
...
Since the last report a further 70 notifications of laboratory-diagnosed influenza have been notified, taking the 2014
total to 194 notifications.
...
Of the 194 influenza notifications received since the start of 2014, 178 (92%) were due to Influenza A virus
infections. The remaining 16 (8%) notifications were infections of Influenza B virus (see Table 1). Some influenza
laboratory isolates undergo further testing to identify subtypes. The most frequently identified Influenza A subtype of
2014 is currently the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype.
Residents from the more populous southern region of Tasmania make up the largest proportion (60%) of the Influenza notifications since the last report.
Adults aged 30-34 years are the 5-year age group with the greatest
number of notifications since the start of 2014.
...
For more information: DHHS Tasmania
*Victoria
Report No 15 Week ending 10/08/14
Summary
Influenza-like illness (ILI) activity remained above baseline levels this week with 5.9 cases per 1000 patients seen.
Data from the National Home Doctor Service (Victorian data) decreased to just below the seasonal threshold.
From the 233 swabs received from surveillance GPs this season (28/4/14 ? 10/8/14) 73 (32%) have been positive
for influenza A, 52 A(H1N1)pdm2009, 15 A(H3N2), 6 untyped, 1 influenza B and 1 influenza C. This week we
received 19 surveillance swabs of which 8 (42%) were positive for influenza A, 7 A(H1N1)pdm2009 and 1
influenza B.
The majority of viruses detected through routine testing this week were influenza A. Of the 181 influenza viruses
detected so far this year 92 were A(H1N1)pdm09, 72 were A(H3N2), 7 are untyped and 10 were influenza B.
This week the Influenza Complications Network (FluCAN) reported 12 hospitalisations, 10 with influenza A
(untyped), 1 influenza B and 1 with influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009. Since 11/4/2014 FluCAN have reported 130
hospitalisations with confirmed influenza, of which 98 were untyped influenza A patients, 25 were A(H1N1)pdm09
and 7 were influenza B, from the 4 Victorian sentinel hospitals.
Of the 101 influenza viruses analysed at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza
year to date from Victoria, 90 were A(H1N1)pdm09 and 11 A(H3N2).
The total number of laboratory confirmed notifications to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
(NNDSS) to date was 22,726, of which 2,825 (12%) were from Victoria.
For more information: Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory
Western Australia
WEEK ENDING 3RD AUGUST 2014
KEY POINTS
INFLUENZA AND INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESSES (ILI)
Summary: There are early indications that influenza activity may have peaked, but detections remain
high. Non-influenza respiratory virus activity is declining.
Indicators of influenza activity, including ILI presentations to sentinel general practitioners
(GPs), notifications, proportion of positive laboratory tests for influenza and influenza-associated
hospitalisations were similar to or showed small declines relative to the previous reporting week.
The majority of influenza viruses subtyped were influenza A/H1N1, but there was a relative
increase in A/H3 detections and influenza B continues to circulate at a low level.
Overall detections of non-influenza respiratory viruses decreased this week, primarily
associated with a marked reduction in respiratory syncytial virus activity.
For more information: WA Dept.of Health
*Nationally
For the period to Jan 1- August 16th, 2014 there were 24,663 confirmed Influenza cases.
The majority of notifications have been in NSW with 8,137, QLD had 8,009, VIC 2,825, SA 2,516, WA had 2,196, ACT 383, NT 357 and TAS 240.
For national data: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
Australian Sentinel Practices Research Network (ASPREN)
No. 13, 2014
16th June 2014 ? 29th June 2014
REPORTING
Reports were received from 280 GPs from 8
states and territories during the reporting
period. During weeks 25 and 26 a total of
15,014 and 15,321 consultations were
made, respectively.
INFLUENZA-LIKE-ILLNESS (ILI)
Nationally, ILI notifications decreased over the period with
149 and 116 notifications in week 25 and 26 respectively.
ILI rates reported in this period increased with 10 and 8
cases per 1000 consultations in weeks 25 and 26
respectively, compared to 5 and 10 cases per 1000
consultations in weeks 23 and 24 respectively. For the
same reporting period in 2013, ILI rates were slightly higher
at 11 and 9 cases per 1000 consultations (see Figure 5)
respectively. On a state-by-state basis, it is important to
note the increased ILI rate in Rural WA.
For more information: ASPREN
*Flu Tracking
Flutracking Weekly Interim Report
Week ending 10 August 2014
This survey was sent on Monday 11 August 3:23 and by Thursday 14 August 9:00 we had received 16391 responses
(16275 last week) from 10160 people responding for themselves and 6231 household members across Australia.
Across Australia, fever and cough was reported by 3.5 % of
vaccinated participants and 4.3 % of unvaccinated
participants. Fever, cough and absence from normal duties
was reported by 2.2 % of vaccinated participants and 2.9
% of unvaccinated participants.
For participants this week, 9532/16391 (58.2 %) have
received the seasonal vaccine so far. Of the 3211
participants who identified as working face-to-face with
patients, 2522 (78.5 %) have received the vaccine.
For more information: Flu Tracking
Australian influenza report 2013 - Current report:
Australian Influenza Surveillance Report No 03 - 19 July to 01 August 2014
Nationally influenza activity has continued to increase, with all jurisdictions except Victoria, reporting increasing activity.
As at 1 August 2014, there have been 18,009 cases of laboratory confirmed influenza reported, with 5,827 notifications occurring during the report fortnight.
Nationally influenza A is the predominant influenza virus type. Of those viruses where subtyping data are available, A(H1N1)pdm09 is most common. This trend is consistent across all jurisdictions, except in New South Wales and the ACT where influenza A(H3N2) is circulating at higher levels. The proportion of A(H3N2) in WA has increased in recent weeks however, A(H1N1)pdm09 remains more prevalent.
Influenza virus strains currently circulating within Australia are similar to the strains included in the 2014 vaccine.
The rate of influenza associated hospitalisations has dropped slightly over the past fortnight, with around 10% of cases admitted directly to ICU. The majority of hospital admissions have been associated influenza A infections and the median age of cases is 42 years.
As yet, there is no clear indication of the overall severity of the season.
The WHO has reported that globally influenza activity remains low. Following the recent northern hemisphere season, influenza activity has returned to inter-seasonal levels across most of these regions. In the southern hemisphere, there has been a gradual increase of influenza activity.
For more information: Department of Health
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