Flu Epidemic Intensifies in France, Resulting in Increased Mortality Rates
A significant rise in flu-related deaths is reported as the epidemic escalates across metropolitan France, particularly affecting the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
The winter flu epidemic in metropolitan France has seen a marked intensification in recent days, leading to a significant increase in mortality rates, as reported by Santé Publique France.
During the second week of January, from the 6th to the 12th, the epidemic was described as having a 'marked severity' with a 'high level of intensity across all age groups', according to the agency's weekly bulletin.
The flu has exhibited varying dynamics across different age groups.
It has notably progressed in outpatient settings among individuals under 65 years, particularly children, while showing a slight slowdown among those aged 65 and over.
In hospitals, emergency department visits and hospitalizations for flu or flu-like syndromes have risen sharply among children under five, but have decreased among other age groups, although they remain at a 'very high level of intensity'.
In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, the activity of SOS Médecins has increased, while emergency services have seen a decrease.
However, the proportion of hospitalizations following emergency visits continues to rise.
The proportion of flu-related deaths among all electronically certified deaths has increased to 7.3% from 5.9% the previous week, indicating a 'marked severity of the epidemic'.
This equates to 611 deaths for the week ending January 12, according to Santé Publique France.
In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the share of deaths attributed to flu increased to 9.2%, a significant rise compared to figures from the previous two weeks.
The last week of 2024 had 2.5%, increasing to 6.5% in the first week of January.
Since the end of September, intensive care units in the PACA region have reported 75 severe cases of flu, 16 of COVID-19, and 14 severe infection cases, along with 38 severe cases of bronchiolitis monitored by neonatal and pediatric intensive care networks, according to Santé Publique France.
Authorities are urging 'great vigilance' due to the circulation of three strains of the virus: A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B/Victoria.
In light of the 'intense' circulation of the flu and its impact on hospitals, the Ministry of Health has called for increased vigilance to 'protect the most vulnerable', and confirmed the availability of sufficient vaccine doses for vaccinations to continue until the end of January.
As of November 30, the flu vaccination coverage was reported at 35.2% among the targeted population, 41% among those aged 65 and over, and 19% among individuals under 65 at risk of severe flu.
These rates are lower than those estimated for the 2023-2024 season as of the same date, according to the health agency.
Meanwhile, there are positive developments regarding other epidemics; most indicators for bronchiolitis are decreasing nationwide, and the circulation of COVID-19 remains stable at low levels, Santé Publique France noted.
During the second week of January, from the 6th to the 12th, the epidemic was described as having a 'marked severity' with a 'high level of intensity across all age groups', according to the agency's weekly bulletin.
The flu has exhibited varying dynamics across different age groups.
It has notably progressed in outpatient settings among individuals under 65 years, particularly children, while showing a slight slowdown among those aged 65 and over.
In hospitals, emergency department visits and hospitalizations for flu or flu-like syndromes have risen sharply among children under five, but have decreased among other age groups, although they remain at a 'very high level of intensity'.
In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, the activity of SOS Médecins has increased, while emergency services have seen a decrease.
However, the proportion of hospitalizations following emergency visits continues to rise.
The proportion of flu-related deaths among all electronically certified deaths has increased to 7.3% from 5.9% the previous week, indicating a 'marked severity of the epidemic'.
This equates to 611 deaths for the week ending January 12, according to Santé Publique France.
In Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, the share of deaths attributed to flu increased to 9.2%, a significant rise compared to figures from the previous two weeks.
The last week of 2024 had 2.5%, increasing to 6.5% in the first week of January.
Since the end of September, intensive care units in the PACA region have reported 75 severe cases of flu, 16 of COVID-19, and 14 severe infection cases, along with 38 severe cases of bronchiolitis monitored by neonatal and pediatric intensive care networks, according to Santé Publique France.
Authorities are urging 'great vigilance' due to the circulation of three strains of the virus: A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B/Victoria.
In light of the 'intense' circulation of the flu and its impact on hospitals, the Ministry of Health has called for increased vigilance to 'protect the most vulnerable', and confirmed the availability of sufficient vaccine doses for vaccinations to continue until the end of January.
As of November 30, the flu vaccination coverage was reported at 35.2% among the targeted population, 41% among those aged 65 and over, and 19% among individuals under 65 at risk of severe flu.
These rates are lower than those estimated for the 2023-2024 season as of the same date, according to the health agency.
Meanwhile, there are positive developments regarding other epidemics; most indicators for bronchiolitis are decreasing nationwide, and the circulation of COVID-19 remains stable at low levels, Santé Publique France noted.
