the number of deaths explodes in January, “a level never reached”, warn the authorities

Data that demonstrates significant influenza virality. Public Health France (SPF) published this Wednesday, January 15, 2025, its weekly bulletin on respiratory infections. And for the flu, it’s rather worrying.

During the second week of January, “among the 8,368 deaths declared by electronic certificate, 7.3% (i.e. 611 deaths) were with a mention of influenza as a morbid condition having directly caused or contributed to the death,” writes SPF.

The level was 5.9% in the first week of 2025. Specifically, three viruses AH1N1, AH3N2 et B/Victoria circulate in France.

The oldest affected

Proof of the importance of this figure, “the share of deaths with a mention of influenza among all electronically certified deaths continued to increase, being at a level never reached for the flu since the implementation of this surveillance,” writes SPF.

A proportion, it is the oldest who are most affected by deaths linked to the flu. Of the 611 deaths recorded in connection with the flu:

• 570 concern people aged 65 and over;
• 39 people aged 15 to 64;
• There are two children aged 0-14.

Activity still high at the hospital

SPF notes a decrease in “hospital flu indicators” for most age groups, except among those under five years old in whom the indicators increase. Overall, the indicators remain “at a very high level”.

Thus, the number of emergency room visits due to flu were 14,651 (4.3% of total emergency visits) and the number of hospitalizations after emergencies is 3,285 (or 4.6% of all hospitalizations.

22% of visits to the emergency room for flu/flu-like illness resulted in hospitalization, all ages combined.

Once again, those aged 65 and over are the most affected.

When will the epidemic peak?

Regarding community medicine, Santé Publique France is concerned about an increase in consultations, particularly among children under 15 years old. Overall, consultations for those under 65 are on the risewhile those over 65 years old drop slightly.

The rate of consultations for all ages combined for influenza-like illness was 436 per 100,000 inhabitants, SPF figure.

When will the epidemic peak? The Minister for Health Yannick Neuder indicated this Tuesday, January 14, 2025 that the epidemic peak on a national scale should take place in “around ten days”.

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