The seasonal flu epidemic intensified the week before Christmas in France, unlike that of bronchiolitis, the intensity level of which was at “a low level”whether in the city or in the hospital, said Thursday, December 26, Public Health France (SPF).
The circulation of influenza viruses has intensified “within the general population” during the week ended December 22 (S51) and touched “particularly older people, who are particularly vulnerable to the flu”, according to the latest acute respiratory infections bulletin from the health agency.
“Children under 15 were 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,” underlines SPF. The share of deaths with a mention of influenza among electronically certified deaths also increased significantly in W51 (2% vs. 0.9% in W50).
Covid indicators stable
On the other hand, the bronchiolitis epidemic, which continued “in twelve regions of France, the Antilles, Guyana and Mayotte”, was described as“an intensity at a low level in comparison” with previous years. These elements are in favor of the passage of the epidemic peak “this week which will be confirmed in the coming weeks”note SPF.
Finally, regarding Covid-19, the indicators remained “generally stable in town and in hospital compared to the previous week”.
France
