Gastro and respiratory viruses in emergencies

Gastroenteritis and respiratory viruses are circulating in Charlevoix at the start of the year. They are the reason for one in five emergency consultations.

From 1^is as of January 9, 2025, the proportion of emergency consultations linked to a respiratory problem or gastro was 20% at La Malbaie Hospital and 15% at Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital. This data obtained from the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale combines the two reasons for consultation.

“We are indeed seeing the presence of respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus. Gastroenteritis is also present, in a greater proportion in eastern Charlevoix,” confirms Raphaëlle Plante, spokesperson for the CIUSSS.

The communications specialist indicates, however, that “in Charlevoix, the volume of consultations is similar to previous years for this time of year.”

More broadly, the Public Health Department of the CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale drew up several findings on January 9 concerning respiratory pathogens:

• The influenza season seems to be starting with an increase in the positivity rate and the number of cases in the last week.
• Other respiratory viruses are still present, including the respiratory syncytial virus which has maintained a stable positivity rate in recent weeks.
• COVID-19 shows a slight increase in positivity and number of cases in the last week. We will have to wait for the next few weeks to determine if a trend is emerging.
• Reports of whooping cough cases have decreased significantly in recent weeks.
• An outbreak of measles was declared in the province in December 2024. As of January 9, 2025, no cases have been declared in the Capitale-Nationale region, but measles remains under close surveillance.