An increase in cases of bronchiolitis has been recorded in France. Four regions as well as Guyana have already been classified in the pre-epidemic phase of respiratory infection.
- Bronchiolitis manifests itself as a significant episode of respiratory difficulty, the symptoms of which are coughing as well as rapid and wheezing breathing.
- In France, four regions are now in the pre-epidemic phase of bronchiolitis: Grand-Est, Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays-de-la-Loire.
- From September 25 to October 1, 1,300 children under the age of two suffering from bronchiolitis were treated in the emergency room.
Cases of bronchiolitis in children under the age of two are on the rise in France as well as in overseas departments and regions, Public Health France alerted. This acute respiratory viral infection, mainly due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus, affects the bronchioles. Very contagious, it affects children under two years of age and results in a significant episode of respiratory discomfort (coughing, rapid and wheezing breathing).
Nearly 1,300 trips to the emergency room for cases of bronchiolitis
During the last bronchiolitis season (2022/2023), nearly 26,104 children were hospitalized, according to the High Health Authority (HAS). In its last epidemiological point, of October 4, Public Health France revealed that four regions have moved into the pre-epidemic phase: the Grand-Est, Normandy, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Pays-de-la-Loire. Concerning the overseas departments and regions, Guyana has also been classified in the pre-epidemic phase.
During the week of September 25 to October 1, 1,300 children under the age of two suffering from bronchiolitis were seen in the emergency room, an increase of 22% compared to the previous week. About 30% of infants were subsequently hospitalized.
Beyfortus: a new delivery planned for November
In mid-September, a prevention campaign against bronchiolitis began, in order to prevent the risk of epidemic and saturation of hospital services. Beyfortus, developed by the Sanofi and AstraZeneca laboratories, is delivered as an injection into the thigh muscle and its protective effects are guaranteed for at least five months. It is not a vaccine whose aim is to prepare the immune system for a future encounter with RSV (…) Here, we provide the newborn with the means to defend itself: we directly inject them with antibodies which will disappear over time.explained the Dr Hervé Haas, head of the pediatrics department at the Princess Grace hospital center in Monaco at Figaro.
Nevertheless, requests for injections exceeded the expectations of health authorities who had ordered 200,000 doses of this preventive treatment. On September 29, public health agencies asked healthcare professionals to stop prescribing Beyfortus vaccine due to a stock shortage. “This is an important plus compared to [à 2022]. The fact that there are a large number of children immunized [représente] a good chance of breaking the epidemic and ensuring that there will be enough room for care”confided Philippe Besset, the president of the federation of pharmaceutical unions, has RTL.
A new delivery of the preventive treatment is planned for the beginning of November in pharmacies. Parents who wish to give their baby the injection will then need to make an appointment with their pediatrician or general practitioner to obtain a prescription.
