According to the latest report from Public Health France, the flu epidemic is present in almost all metropolitan regions.
- The flu virus circulates in almost all regions of mainland France.
- According to Public Health France, all are classified as epidemics, except Brittany, Pays de la Loire and Normandy.
- All age groups are affected, even if those aged 0 – 14 and those over 65 seem to be more affected.
Headaches, fever, muscle and joint pain. More and more French people are experiencing these symptoms: they characterize the flu. According to the latest Public Health France bulletin, updated on January 4, influenza viruses are circulating in almost all metropolitan regions. “In week 52 (i.e. from December 25 to 31), the indicators of influenza/flu syndrome were sharply increasing, reflecting an intensification of the circulation of influenza viruses in France.indicates the document.
Epidemic: which regions are affected by significant circulation of the virus?
Santé Publique France has established four evaluation levels for the circulation of viruses: no alert, pre-epidemic, epidemic and post-epidemic. The latest report shows that “ten regions in total were in epidemic and three in pre-epidemic phase”. These three regions are Brittany, Pays de la Loire and Normandy. “In the overseas territories, Guyana and Mayotte were in epidemic and Guadeloupe was in epidemic this weekthe text continues. In Reunion, the indicators have returned to their base level.”
Flu: an increase in cases in all age groups
The number of visits to emergency rooms for flu/influenza-like illness increased by 53% between December 25 and 31, compared to the previous week. According to data from Public Health France, all age groups are affected, even if some are more affected. Regarding these visits to the emergency room, Santé Publique France indicates that “this increase concerned all age groups but more particularly those aged 5-14 (2.0% vs. 0.9%, i.e. +1.1 point) and those aged 65 and over (1.7% vs. 0.8%). i.e. +0.9 points)”. The share of hospitalizations after passage has evolved from low to moderate level.
On the other hand, serious cases remain few in number. Since week 40, i.e. the first week of October, 94 serious cases of influenza have been reported by intensive care units. “Among the 94 flu cases, 67% were over 18 years old, specifies Public Health France. (…) Among the 64 cases for which vaccination status was provided, 56 were not vaccinated against influenza. Seven deaths were reported, including 4 among those aged 65 or olders.”
How to protect yourself from the flu?
To avoid contamination, it is important to respect a few protective measures: wearing a mask in closed places, regular hand washing, ventilation of the home. If you experience symptoms, cough and sneeze into your elbow and use disposable tissues. “Apart from hygiene measures, annual flu vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself, reminds him‘Pastor Institute. It helps reduce serious forms of flu.” Vaccination is particularly recommended for vulnerable people: those over 65, pregnant women, people with morbid obesity, diabetics, immunocompromised people or people with chronic pathologies. “The constant genetic modifications of influenza viruses require the composition of the vaccine to be adjusted each year to introduce the most recent strains in circulation., underlines the Institute. Therefore, vaccination must be renewed every year.
