While Flu and COVID-19 Are Decreasing Across the United Kingdom, HMPV and Adenovirus Infections Are Gradually Rising
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 01, 2025 3 hours, 59 minutes ago
Medical News: Declining Cases of Flu and COVID-19
Over the past few weeks, respiratory virus activity in the United Kingdom has shown a significant shift. The number of flu and COVID-19 cases is steadily decreasing across most indicators, signaling a potential relief from these common seasonal infections. According to the latest surveillance data, influenza positivity rates have declined slightly to an average of 12.4%, compared to 12.7% in the previous week. Meanwhile, COVID-19 PCR positivity in hospital settings has remained stable at 2.8%.
While Flu and COVID-19 Are Decreasing Across the United Kingdom, HMPV and Adenovirus Infections
Are Gradually Rising
Emergency department visits for influenza-like illnesses (ILI) have shown an overall decrease, aligning with the observed reduction in hospital admissions for flu-related complications. However, there has been a notable increase in influenza B cases, particularly among children of school-going age and adults up to 44 years old. This
Medical News report explores the changing trends of respiratory illnesses, highlighting the decline of some infections while others show a steady rise.
The Rise of HMPV and Adenovirus
While flu and COVID-19 infections are waning, health officials have reported an increase in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and Adenovirus. HMPV positivity has risen from 4.2% to 5.6% over the past week, marking a concerning upward trend. Similarly, Adenovirus positivity has increased slightly to 4.4% from 4.2%, indicating a gradual but steady rise in cases.
HMPV, a respiratory virus that causes symptoms similar to the flu, is commonly seen in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. It can lead to mild cold-like symptoms but has the potential to develop into more severe respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Adenovirus, on the other hand, is known for causing respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, and gastroenteritis, particularly in young children and those with weakened immune systems.
Respiratory Virus Surveillance and Trends
The latest surveillance reports indicate an overall decline in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza cases, both of which have decreased slightly over the past week. RSV positivity, a virus known to affect infants and the elderly, dropped to 1.9% from 2.3%, while parainfluenza positivity slightly declined to 1.5% from 1.6%. Rhinovirus, a major cause of the common cold, has also seen a minor decline in positivity rates.
Despite the decline in some respiratory viruses, hospital admission rates for respiratory illnesses remain a key area of concern. COVID-19 hospital admission rates have increased slightly to 1.32 per 100,000, although ICU and high-dependency unit (HDU) admissions have remained stable. Influenza-related hospital admissions have decreased, with an overall weekly rate of 4.15 per 100,000 compared to 4.79 in the previous week.
Vaccination and Public Health Measures
Vaccination efforts continue to play a vital role in controlling the spread of flu and COVID-19. The latest data shows that vaccine uptake remains steady among priority groups. The flu vaccination coverage among those aged 65 and over stands at 74.7%, while coverage for children aged 2 and 3 years is around 41.5% and 43.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, COVID-19 booster programs have been rolled out to high-risk individuals to provide continued protection against emerging variants.
Health authorities urge the public to remain vigilant despite the decreasing trends in flu and COVID-19 cases. The rise in HMPV and Adenovirus serves as a reminder that respiratory infections continue to circulate, requiring consistent hygiene practices, vaccination efforts, and public health monitoring.
Conclusion
While the overall trend for flu and COVID-19 is declining in the UK, the increasing cases of HMPV and Adenovirus highlight the ever-changing nature of respiratory illnesses. Flu and COVID-19 hospitalizations have dropped, but other viral infections are gaining ground, particularly among vulnerable populations. Experts recommend that individuals continue to practice preventive measures such as regular handwashing, wearing masks in crowded places, and staying updated on vaccinations.
Monitoring and reporting of respiratory illnesses remain crucial for early detection and intervention. Health authorities continue to track these evolving trends closely to ensure public safety.
The latest UKHSA’s National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report: 27 February (week 9) can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2024-to-2025-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-27-february-week-9
For the latest Respiratory Diseases Global Updates, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/flu-infections-remain-high-in-illinois-with-positivity-rate-of-25-7-percent-but-hmpv-and-covid-19-infections-slowly-rising
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/influenza-test-positivity-rate-hits-33-6-percent-in-wisconsin-and-still-rising-as-hospitals-are-overwhelmed-and-deaths-increasing
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/influenza-test-positivity-rate-hits-33-6-percent-in-wisconsin-and-still-rising-as-hospitals-are-overwhelmed-and-deaths-increasing
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/confirmed-infections-in-texas-measles-outbreak-rises-to-146-with-thousands-possibly-exposed-and-one-death-so-far
https://www.thailandmedical.news/pages/thailand_doctors_listings
Share
Tweet
Share
