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Although influenza activity in the UK rose to only low levels in the 2012/13 season, activity was prolonged and reached levels higher than those seen in 2011/12. A mix of influenza viruses meant both children and adults were affected; the season was initially marked by outbreaks reported in schools when influenza B was predominantly circulating, but after Christmas, outbreaks were mainly reported among the elderly in care homes, when influenza A(H3N2) circulation dominated.
This unusual pattern of influenza B circulating prior to influenza A(H3N2) in England was also seen in Northern Ireland and Wales but not in Scotland. Although influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 comprised a low proportion of influenza positive specimens, it continued to circulate at higher levels than seen in 2011/12. An increase in influenza severity was seen relative to 2011/12 with a higher number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions.
Although influenza activity in the UK rose to only low levels in the 2012/13 season, activity was prolonged and reached levels higher than those seen in 2011/12. A mix of influenza viruses meant both children and adults were affected; the season was initially marked by outbreaks reported in schools when influenza B was predominantly circulating, but after Christmas, outbreaks were mainly reported among the elderly in care homes, when influenza A(H3N2) circulation dominated.
This unusual pattern of influenza B circulating prior to influenza A(H3N2) in England was also seen in Northern Ireland and Wales but not in Scotland. Although influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 comprised a low proportion of influenza positive specimens, it continued to circulate at higher levels than seen in 2011/12. An increase in influenza severity was seen relative to 2011/12 with a higher number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions.
