Children and the elderly were most affected in the week before Christmas.
It is gaining ground everywhere. Public Health France (SPF) points out a “sharp increase in all flu indicators in the city and in hospitals, in all age groups”in its bulletin this Thursday.
“All regions” of France are affected by the epidemic which progressed significantly during the week before Christmas. From December 16 to 22, “children under 15 were the most affected in town and in hospital, but a marked increase in visits to emergency rooms and hospitalizations among people aged 65 and over was observed (58% of hospitalizations)”just like among children under 5 years old (23% of hospitalizations).
Another signal to take into account, over this period, the public body identified “122 deaths linked to the flu”dont “108 concerned people aged 65 and over, 12 concerned people aged 15 to 64 and 2 concerned children under 15”.
But the situation is not considered alarming at this stage. “Compared to the five previous flu epidemics, the level of activity was moderate for all ages”notes the agency.
“Be vigilant”
“This dynamic is on a relatively classic pattern, confirms Bruno Lina, professor of virology at Lyon University Hospital, speaking to BFMTV. We have an increase in the number of cases with children, who were the most affected at the start of the epidemic […] Now, we actually risk seeing a shift towards older people. This is where we need to be vigilant.”
Last year, the flu generated 1.5 million consultations and 14,000 hospitalizations after going to the emergency room during the winter. Concerning bronchiolitis, SPF notes on the contrary a “decrease in the majority of indicators”, while Covid-19 remains stable, in town and in hospital.
Get vaccinated
“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself” against the flu and Covid-19, underlines Public Health France.
“In the context of gatherings during the end-of-year holidays, […] 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.”
Common sense advice as we approach the outpourings of affection on New Year's Eve.
