In 11 regions, including PACA and Alsace, very active outbreaks of chickenpox are emerging. The Sentinelles network reports an increase in the number of general medicine consultations.
During the week of June 9 to 15, the Sentinelles network reports an increase in the number of cases of chickenpox in 11 regions (1). In 7 of them, including Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur and Île-de-France, the activity of this viral disease is strong.
Last week, around 40 cases of chickenpox were reported per 100,000 population. It is in the south of the country that activity is strongest (PACA, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône-Alpes). But two very active centers are also emerging in the East (Alsace, Franche-Comté). In total, Sentinelles estimates the number of cases of chickenpox at 18,296.
A very contagious disease
Most affected patients are under 5 years of age, but there is a slight peak up to age 20 – the age at which complications are possible. Each year, around 700,000 cases of chickenpox are reported in France, 90% of which in children under 10 years old.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease that occurs in the respiratory tract, inhaled droplets of saliva, or in direct contact with skin lesions. It is manifested by a moderate fever (38 ° C), a rash then vesicles. The incubation period is 2-3 weeks and contagiousness begins 2-4 days before the onset of clinical signs. Usually, healing takes 10-15 days, but complications are possible, especially in older people.
Source: Sentiweb / InVS
(1) Activity strong in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur (98 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Alsace (96), Poitou-Charentes (65), Languedoc-Roussillon (51), Rhône-Alpes (46), Ile-de-France (45) and Franche-Comté (45) and moderate in Midi-Pyrénées (36), Pays-de-la-Loire (31), Aquitaine (22) and Haute-Normandie (20).
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