Report monitoring respiratory viruses for the 2026/27 season.
Latest update
This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses.
Respiratory viruses, in week 26 October and 1 November 2026
Dr Jamie LopezBernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency:
As expected with the school half-term ‘firebreak’ last week, flu cases have remained at low levels, with a small increase in people being hospitalised. We have seen RSV levels continue to increase particularly among young children aged under 5 years, while COVID-19 levels have decreased further.
With schools now back, we do expect to see Flu and RSV increasing in the coming weeks. If you’re eligible for a free NHS vaccine don’t miss out and regret it later. Every year thousands of unvaccinated vulnerable people end up severely ill in hospital, some in intensive care. While it may not completely stop you getting flu, a vaccine will help reduce the severity of the disease – and could save your life.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2026 to 2027 season are published weekly. For more detailed data on surveillance indicators for the 3 major respiratory viruses see below.
Flu surveillance data for week 44 (26 October to 1 November 2026):
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 44 (26 October and 1 November 2026):
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 44 (26 October and 1 November 2026):
Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 43 and 44 of 2026 (19 October to 1 November 2026)
Norovirus activity has remained stable and within expected levels in recent weeks
Overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 43 and 44 of 2026 (19 October 2026 to 1 November 2026) were 17.4% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
Rotavirus activity has decreased in recent weeks and remains within expected levels
Rotavirus activity between weeks 43 and 44 of 2026 was 9.1% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
Due to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) going offline there is no update on the number of norovirus outbreaks this week.
During the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (88.6%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequent genotypes identified were GII.4[P16] (23.4%) and GII.9[P7] (20.6%).
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do become ill, it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
There are simple steps we can all take to help stop norovirus from spreading. Wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products on clean surfaces to help stop infections spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on these alone.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others during that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection to those who are most vulnerable.
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29 October
This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses.
Respiratory viruses, in week 19 October and 25 October 2026
Dr Alex Allen, Consultant Epidemiologist at UK Health Security Agency:
Flu remains at low levels following some activity earlier in Autumn, but while flu can be unpredictable, we do usually see cases rising during November. If you’re eligible, book your flu vaccine now before the virus starts circulating more widely. Vaccination remains our best defence and it’s important to get vaccinated every year.
RSV is starting to increase but remains very low, while COVID-19 remains at low levels. Rhinovirus, or the common cold, is still the most widely circulating respiratory virus, so if you’ve got symptoms the odds are it is the common cold.
We’ll continue to closely monitor respiratory viruses throughout winter. If you’re eligible, book your NHS winter vaccines now, and make sure your child gets their nasal spray flu vaccine as soon as possible.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2026 to 2027 season are published weekly. For more detailed data on surveillance indicators for the 3 major respiratory viruses see below.
Flu surveillance data for week 43 (19 to 25 October 2026):
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 43 (19 to 25 October 2026):
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 43 (19 to 25 October 2026):
Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 42 and 43 of 2026 (12 to 25 October 2026)
Norovirus activity has stabilised in recent weeks and remains within expected levels
Overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 42 and 43 of 2026 (12 October 2026 to 25 October 2026) were 39.0% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
Rotavirus activity has decreased in recent weeks but remains within expected levels.
Rotavirus activity between weeks 42 and 43 of 2026 was 5.2% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
Due to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) going offline there is no update on the number of norovirus outbreaks this week.
During the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (88.6%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequent genotypes identified were GII.4[P16] (24.1%) and GII.9[P7] (20.5%).
UKHSA has strengthened norovirus surveillance ahead of this winter by implementing more sophisticated norovirus typing methods. This dual-typing methodology identifies both the capsid and polymerase types for each norovirus in a single test, providing a combined genotype, with GII.4[P16] the most commonly detected genotype so far this season. This update enhances UKHSA’s ability to monitor circulating genotypes and detect emerging recombinant noroviruses.
UKHSA retrospectively linked genomic surveillance data with health data to investigate if there was any difference in the severity of illness between the 2 most common GII.4 and GII.17 genotypes circulating in recent seasons. This enhanced analytical capability helps scientists assess trends, monitor health impacts and informs evidence-based public health decision-making.
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do become ill, it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
There are simple steps we can all take to help stop norovirus from spreading. Wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products on clean surfaces to help stop infections spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on these alone.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others during that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection to those who are most vulnerable.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
We have strengthened our norovirus surveillance this year by introducing more advanced testing that gives us a clearer picture of the circulating norovirus genotypes. This means we can identify new and emerging variants more quickly and better understand how norovirus epidemiology is changing over time.
We have also linked laboratory and health data to investigate whether different genotypes are associated with differences in illness severity. Together, these improvements enhance our ability to monitor trends or assess health impacts and give us stronger evidence to support public health action.
22 October
This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses.
Respiratory viruses, in week 12 to 18 October 2026
Dr Jamie LopezBernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:
Our surveillance for the past week shows flu continues to remain at low levels and the early rise we saw in previous weeks has slowed and COVID-19 also remains at low levels, but we’ll be closely tracking all the major respiratory viruses right through the winter, so we can spot trends early and keep the public informed.
While currently these virus levels are low, we can’t easily predict what may happen over the coming weeks and vaccination remains our best defence. If eligible book your free NHS flu, COVID-19 or RSV vaccine or ensure your child receives their easy and painless nose spray flu vaccine as soon as possible, before viruses start circulating more widely this winter.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV surveillance report and the national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance reports: 2026 to 2027 season are published weekly.
For more detailed data on surveillance indicators for the 3 major respiratory viruses see below.
Flu surveillance data for week 42 (12 to 18 October 2026):
COVID-19 surveillance data for week 42 (12 to 18 October 2026):
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) surveillance data for week 42 (12 to 18 October 2026):
Norovirus surveillance data between weeks 41 and 42 (5 to 18 October 2026):
Norovirus activity has decreased slightly in recent weeks but remains within expected levels.
Overall, norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 41 and 42 of 2026 (5 October 2026 to 18 October 2026) were 32.6% lower than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
Rotavirus activity has decreased in recent weeks but remains within expected levels.
Rotavirus activity between weeks 41 and 42 of 2026 was 9.8% higher than the 5-season average for the same 2-week period.
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2025/2026 season is 42.0% lower than the 5-season average.
During the 2025/2026 season to date, the majority (87.8%) of samples characterised were norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), of which the most frequent genotypes identified were GII.4[P16] (25.0%) and GII.9[P7] (22.3%).
Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do become ill, it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.
There are simple steps we can all take to help stop norovirus from spreading. Wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products on clean surfaces to help stop infections spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on these alone.
If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped, and don’t prepare food for others during that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection to those who are most vulnerable.
15 October
This weekly bulletin brings together the latest surveillance data, along with the latest public health advice for flu, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses.