The flu takes hold in Hauts-de-France and reaches the epidemic threshold. The winter virus season has therefore begun. Between COVID, gastro and other bronchiolitis, we take stock.
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Sniffles, stomach aches and migraines are back in Hauts-de-France and mark the start of the winter virus season. The epidemic threshold for flu cases has even been reached.
We take stock of the situation, a few days before the end of year holidays.
Since November 18, the Hauts-de-France region has been in a pre-epidemic situation for flu cases. But since December 2, Santé Publique France has announced that the epidemic threshold had been exceeded in the region.
This is evidenced by the rate of visits to the emergency room which increased almost exponentially in the space of two weeks.
If we look at the situation in each department of the region. The epidemic seems to be most critical in the Somme, where there were nearly 200 cases of flu in emergency rooms out of 10,000 visits between December 2 and 9.
“We have a small increase in requests for anti-flu vaccines“, relates Grégory Tempremant, president of the Union of Unions of Pharmacists of Hauts-de-France. “They come to see us because they have sick relatives, but we must not forget that the vaccine takes 15 days to be effective.“
The crowds are not huge.
Grégory TempremantPresident of the Union of Pharmacists’ Unions of Hauts-de-France
Yes the “epidemic stage” has been crossed in the region, Grégory Tempremant wants to be reassuring. In pharmacy, “the crowd is not huge“.
For the little ones, you have to remain vigilant. The bronchiolitis epidemic has lasted for more than four weeks in Hauts-de-France and particularly affects children under the age of two.
During week 49, activity was increasing at SOS Médecins, but fairly stable in the region’s emergency services.
Concerning other viruses, Grégory Tempremant estimates that contaminations should accelerate by the end of the month. “Gastro often arrives a little later, around New Year’s Eve“, he testifies.
Likewise for COVID, the signals are not all red. Considering the number of medical procedures linked to COVID counted by SOS Médecins, it would even seem that a wave of contamination is behind us.
But these figures must be put into perspective. “For COVID cases, the symptoms are very similar to the flu. Unless you do a test, it is difficult to differentiate the two“, tempers Grégory Tempremant. “Especially since people don’t really test themselves anymore.“
Regardless of the viruses circulating, to protect yourself from them, it is strongly recommended to apply barrier gestures:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Cough and/or sneeze into your elbow
- Use disposable tissues
- Ventilate your living space regularly
- Wear a mask if in doubt
A few days before the Christmas and New Year holidays, Public Health France recommends getting vaccinated for the flu and COVID 19 to protect the most vulnerable. It’s not too late to take action. Both vaccinations can be done at the same time.
Are strongly invited to be vaccinated:
- Over 65s
- People at high risk of severe disease
- Immunocompromised people
- Pregnant women
- Residents of care establishments, regardless of their age
- People in regular contact with vulnerable people.
All information on the flu is available on the vaccination infoservice website.
