National norovirus and rotavirus bulletins 2021 to 2022: management information
Summary of norovirus and rotavirus laboratory surveillance and enteric virus outbreaks in hospital and community settings in England during the 2021 to 2022 season.
This bulletin provides an overview of norovirus and rotavirus activity in England during the 2021 to 2022 season. It is published weekly during the winter and monthly during the summer and replaces the Official Statistics national norovirus and rotavirus report.
The data presented is derived from 4 national UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance systems, including laboratory reporting system surveillance of norovirus and rotavirus, enteric virus (norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus and astrovirus) outbreaks in hospital and community settings, as well as molecular surveillance data on circulating strains of norovirus.
Many of the interventions implemented to reduce coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission, isolation of sick individuals, increased hand washing and enhanced environmental cleaning, are also effective against norovirus and rotavirus. Therefore, during 2020 and into the first half of 2021 it is likely that these interventions contributed to a reduction in norovirus and rotavirus transmission.
However, there are other contributory factors such as – but not limited to – changes in ascertainment, access to health care services and capacity for testing. Therefore, this bulletin summarises the surveillance data held by UKHSA and does not provide an in-depth interpretation relative to previous seasons as the Official Statistics national norovirus and rotavirus report has done in the preceding seasons.
The Official Statistics report is currently suspended due to the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sampling and testing for enteric viruses and the reporting of these results to UKHSA.
This variation in ascertainment means it is not possible to ensure the accuracy and consistency of these data with previous seasons and therefore, any apparent trends should be interpreted with caution.
All surveillance data included in this report are extracted from live reporting systems, are subject to a reporting delay and the number reported in the most recent weeks may rise further as more reports are received. Therefore, data pertaining to the most recent 2 weeks are not included.
If you have any comments or queries please email NoroOBK@phe.gov.uk
Last updated 28 October 2021 + show all updates
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Added week 43 bulletin, data to week 41.
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Added week 42 report.
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First published.