All of France is in an epidemic phase and it’s not over. The flu epidemic is intensifying in “all age groups” and reached a “very high level among those under 15”noted Santé Publique France in its latest update published last week.
Proof that the epidemic has spread, between October 28 and December 31, flu symptoms jumped from nearly 4% to nearly 20%. On average in France, flu or any other flu-like syndrome represented nearly 20% of SOS Médecins actions over the last week of the year.
Notably, it was children under 15 who were most affected by the epidemic during the last week of the year and hospitalizations of people over 65 increased sharply. In France, they have almost doubled in one week.
Figures on the rise in the Var
In the Var, the figures are not very good and above all increasing. As for SOS Médecins, those under 15 represent a fifth of medical procedures for flu. And out of 10,000 medical procedures for influenza, 914 concerned people aged 65 and over.
We also note that out of 10,000 visits to the emergency room, among those over 65, more than half of these people were hospitalized for flu, after a visit to the emergency room. Those under 15 years old represent 1,612 per 10,000 passages.
Compared to the five previous epidemics, the level of intensity at the hospital increased this week from moderate to high for all ages and to a very high level among those under 15 years old. Flu clusters in medical and social establishments are also on the rise. Just like the share of deaths with a mention of flu.
Vaccination is recommended
“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against influenza and Covid-19, particularly severe forms of these diseases”recalls Public Health France.
It is recommended “to all eligible persons, in order to protect them and those around them”in particular people aged 65 and over or those who are immunocompromised, infants over 6 months old with comorbidities, pregnant women, residents of medico-social establishments of all ages. It is also for people in regular contact with people who are immunocompromised or vulnerable to severe forms of infection, including health professionals.
In addition, reminds the health agency, the adoption of barrier gestures remains essential to protect oneself from all winter diseases: washing hands, ventilating rooms and wearing a mask in the event of symptoms (fever, illness throat or cough), in busy places and in the presence of vulnerable people.
