The seasonal flu epidemic has started in several regions of the French metropolis, notably in Île-de-France, Normandy and New Aquitaine, and the rest of France should quickly follow, according to a report published Wednesday by the public health agency.
Last week, ending on Sunday 30th November, was marked by a “clear increase in influenza indicators in all age groups”, summarized Public Health France in its weekly update on the main epidemics of the fall- winter.
The end of November saw the “transition of Île-de-France, Normandy and New Aquitaine into an epidemic”, specifies the agency. “All other French regions are in pre-epidemic, except Corsica. “Overseas, Mayotte has been hit by the epidemic since the previous week.
The seasonal flu epidemic had been particularly severe last season with more than 17,000 deaths, against an average of around 10,000. It had also been exceptionally marked among the youngest, sending many babies to the hospital. An insufficient vaccination rate contributed to this situation even if the poor effectiveness of the vaccine, particularly among older people, also played a role.
This year, the vaccination campaign seems to be starting more effectively. The Ministry of Health announced that it would release safety stocks in the face of concerns from pharmacists, some of whom say they are already short of doses. Vaccination is free for people at risk: everyone over 65, pregnant women, obese people and many chronically ill people. It is also for other categories, like most caregivers.
Alongside the flu, the bronchiolitis epidemic, who knocks mainly babies, has spread to almost all of France, Corsica being the only one spared. Overseas, Guadeloupe and Martinique are now classified as pre-epidemic. The indicators are “close to those observed the previous season at the same period”, specifies Public Health France, last season having been relatively lenient in terms of bronchiolitis while several treatments are now available to immunize babies.
On the Covid side, the circulation of the virus seems to remain limited but the agency nevertheless reports a “slight upward trend” in wastewater.
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