While the coronavirus occupies everyone's attention and continues to progress, the seasonal flu epidemic continues to ebb in mainland France. It has certainly caused 72 deaths but the public health agency France public health notes in its weekly report published Wednesday, a "decrease in influenza activity in the majority of regions in France". Ile-de-France has entered the post-epidemic phase and the epidemic peak was probably reached in all regions of metropolitan France last week. Since November 4, 2019, 744 serious cases of influenza admitted to intensive care in mainland France have been reported, including 47 last week (compared to 71 the previous week).
The number of emergency visits decreased significantly over a week
The majority (74%) of these patients had risk factors for complications, and almost as many (69%) were not vaccinated among those for whom this information could be obtained. A total of 72 deaths (including 10 children under the age of 15) occurred among these intensive care patients. In addition, three deaths in intensive care are listed at this stage in Martinique and two in Guadeloupe. In Guyana, the epidemic continues and also affects Mayotte. The flu generated in metropolitan France a drop in consultation rate (-22%) last week compared to the previous week (175 / 100,000 inhabitants against 225 / 100,000), according to the Sentinelles surveillance network. The same goes for consultations for SOS Doctors' flu syndrome (-11%).
The number of emergency visits for influenza or influenza-like illness reported by the surveillance network Oscour has "significantly decreased" (-14%) compared to the previous week (6,100 compared to 7,132) as well as the number of hospitalizations (724, or - 11%). Among the hospitalizations for influenza after emergency visits, the most represented are children under 5 years of age (25%) and people aged 75 and over (29%).
Bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis also decreases
In addition, for bronchiolitis, the health agency notes a "marked reduction in emergency room visits" in mainland France, and the "end of the epidemic" in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Brittany, Normandy, New Aquitaine and Occitanie regions. and the transition to a post-epidemic in the Grand Est. The epidemic continues in Reunion and Mayotte.
For "gastro", the Sentinelles-Inserm network notes that the incidence rate (new cases) estimated last week is "among the lowest estimated for the same week in the last 10 years". Last week, the most affected regions were Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (168 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Grand Est (141) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (123).