Flu, Covid-19, bronchiolitis… Update on epidemics in France at the start of 2025

HEALTH – France is still on red alert. The seasonal flu epidemic strengthened throughout France last week, Public Health France (SpF) said this Thursday, January 2, in a press release. The bronchiolitis epidemic is still ongoing, but it is decreasing in intensity. Now eleven regions out of thirteen are on red alert.

The week of December 29 was marked by a “clear increase” acute respiratory infections, according to the health agency's weekly bulletin. These infections have increased both in hospitals and among general practitioners, affecting people of all ages.

Hospitalizations “after visits to the emergency room” mainly affected people aged 65 and over. The latter represented almost two thirds of hospitalizations for acute respiratory infection during the last week of 2024.

The flu epidemic continues to intensify

In detail, the flu affects all regions of France. The epidemic is intensifying “in all age groups” and reached a “very high level among those under 15”reports SpF. Overseas, the flu epidemic is raging in Martinique, while Guadeloupe and Guyana are in the phase of “pre-epidemic”.

As for the bronchiolitis epidemic, it continues in eleven regions of France but its intensity is decreasing for the second consecutive week, both in cities and in hospitals. The Antilles, Mayotte and Guyana are also in the epidemic phase. The bronchiolitis epidemic, however, arrives in Corsica and Reunion, which are both in the phase of “pre-epidemic”while Île-de-France is emerging from the epidemic.

Concerning Covid-19, the indicators remain “generally stable at low levels” compared to the previous week.

Vaccination still available

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against influenza and Covid-19, particularly serious 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.

Vaccination is also recommended for people in regular contact with people who are immunocompromised or vulnerable to severe forms of infection, including health professionals.

In addition, the adoption of barrier gestures remains essential to protect oneself from all winter illnesses: washing hands, ventilating rooms and wearing a mask in the event of symptoms (fever, sore throat or cough), in busy places and in the presence of vulnerable people.

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