While the influenza epidemic is progressing in the country, the latest public health bulletin France stresses that children are “exceptionally” assigned this year.
- The influenza epidemic reaches an unprecedented level in France, particularly affecting children and causing strong hospital pressure, according to Public Health France.
- A tenth of hospitalizations among those over 4 years of age is due to the flu, an exceptional situation. Deaths remain mainly among those over 65, but the vaccine is ineffective (up to 35 %).
- All regions, including overseas, are affected, without a sign of lull. Faced with this crisis, the authorities extend the vaccination campaign and recall the importance of barriers (hand washing, ventilation).
The influenza epidemic continues to intensify in France, touching more and more patients, with a significant feature this year: children are exceptionally affected. This is what emerges from Last public health report France (SPF) published on Wednesday, January 29. Faced with this situation, hospitals are under tension and the health authorities are redoubling their efforts to counter the propagation of the virus.
An unequaled spread for years
While the flu has been circulating at an unprecedented level for several years, the completed week was marked by “A strong intensification of the epidemic in France”according to SPF, especially since the co-circulation of several strains of the virus accentuates this situation. Children, normally less exposed to complications, are this time particularly affected, especially the youngest, whose hospitalizations reach records. Among those over 4 years old, a tenth of the admissions to the hospital are linked to the flu, an unprecedented proportion.
Despite this increase in children, adults remain the most affected in terms of mortality. “The share of deaths with a statement of flu among the electronically certified deaths [reste] very high compared to previous epidemics “with around 7 % of the dead associated with flu – mainly over 65, according to SPF. Even more alarming, the antigrippal vaccine seems to be less effective this year among this age group this year: it would only be 35 %, according to data.
Note that the epidemic affects all metropolitan regions as well as overseas territories, notably Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana. For the time being, no lulls are in sight. Increased vigilance and preventive measures are therefore essential to limit the spread of the virus.
Measures to contain the epidemic
Hospital pressure has led many establishments to activate white plans to better manage the influx of patients. Likewise, to try to improve vaccination coverage deemed insufficient, the Ministry of Health has extended the vaccination campaign until February 28.
Faced with this epidemic that does not end and the low efficiency of the vaccine, SPF recalls that “The systematic adoption of barrier gestures within the general population remains essential to help limit the circulation of respiratory viruses”. Handwashing, ventilation of enclosed spaces and wearing the mask in crowded places are all practices to be strengthened.
