While white plans are being activated in French hospitals in the face of the influx of respiratory infections, influenza and covid in the lead, the latter are not threats in Luxembourg.
At a time when the Metz-Thionville CHR, like 86 other French establishments, has just activated a white plan to deal with the epidemic of respiratory infections, with influenza in the lead, questions are naturally being asked on the other hand. side of the border. Especially since in the Grand Duchy, the Health Department reports increases in acute respiratory infections in its latest weekly report published Thursday.
In one week, 185 new cases of influenza (Influenza) were recorded, increasing the number from 561 to 746 cases, an increase of 33%. For Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 virus), the increase is 18%, going from 55 to 65 cases.
What is there to worry about in Luxembourg hospitals and to consider future white plans in the face of the wave of infections? Absolutely not. “Like every winter, an increase in cases is observed at this time and hospital services are used to managing this situation,” the Ministry of Health and Social Security wishes to assure.
“Completely normal development”
For the flu, the spread of which is the most significant, the current figures show “a completely normal development for the winter season, comparable to the years preceding the pandemic”. Although the number of cases declared during the same period in 2024 was below the 400 mark, or almost half as many, more would be needed to worry the ministry. Therefore, “at the moment there are no other measures planned”.
In order to best analyze the situation, health professionals rely in particular on ReViLux data. The latter is a national “Sentinel” surveillance program staffed by general practitioners and pediatricians who report, sample and test patients with symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory infection (ARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI).
The ReViLux report for the first week of January puts things into perspective since it indicates that 6.6% of consultations in the last week were linked to influenza-like illnesses (ILI), “a figure significantly lower than the levels observed the previous year “.
At the same time in 2023 (see graph)this percentage of consultations for influenza was twice as high, peaking at approximately 15%. Last year it was three percentage points lower, at around 12%. The peak of the 2024-2025 season seems to have passed if the trend of previous years is repeated.
Vaccination encouraged
Still according to ReViLux data concerning the positivity rate for influenza of the samples tested, the evolution between this first week of 2025 and the same period a year ago is not worrying either.
In total, 30.8% of samples tested last week were positive for Influenzavirus A, compared to 26.2% last year. Note that in 2024, covid was significantly more present in the samples than at the moment, with 13.1% compared to 0% in 2025.
Conversely, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the Rhinovirus (Human rhinovirus) are more present with, respectively, 28.9% versus 6.6% and 26.3% versus 9.8%. Along with influenza A, these are the two most detected viruses currently.
Still, the situation is, to date, nothing alarming but the ministry is still taking advantage of it to insist on precautionary measures. Starting with the flu vaccine. “Influenza vaccination is currently recommended for people at risk, mainly those over 65 or with specific risk factors.”
Actions that protect
The story is the same for Covid-19, severe forms of which can, like the flu, be fatal. Concerning the choice of the manufacturer of the flu vaccine, the patient is free to choose in his pharmacy, because the latter “are free to select the vaccines they wish to purchase from wholesalers” since “the flu vaccine is entirely available on the private market.
Obviously, vigilance regarding barrier gestures goes hand in hand with vaccination, whatever the virus. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water, covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding close contact with sick people are essential actions. Staying at home when sick and regularly ventilating your home also help reduce the transmission of viruses.
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