According to the Sentinelles-Inserm network, the flu epidemic is ending in France. However, we will have to wait another week to officially confirm the end of the influenza epidemic.
On this day of spring’s arrival, the French can rejoice in another piece of good news. The flu epidemic is over! According to the Sentinelles surveillance network, in metropolitan France, last week (from March 10 to 16, 2014), the incidence rate of cases of influenza syndromes seen in general medicine consultation was estimated at 85 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, “Below the epidemic threshold (130 cases per 100,000 inhabitants)”, specify these Sentinel doctors. However, it will “wait until next week” to officially confirm the end of the flu epidemic, they add.
At the regional level, the highest incidence rates were noted in: Nord-Pas-de-Calais (254 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), Corsica (175) and Auvergne (146).
60% men
Regarding the cases reported, last week, the median age of infected patients was 30 years. Men accounted for 60% of the cases. In addition, the clinical pictures did not present any particular sign of seriousness.
Finally, according to forecast models based on historical data, and on drug sales data established by IMS-Health, “the activity of influenza syndromes should continue to decline in the coming weeks confirming the end of the epidemic of influenza ”, indicates the surveillance network.
Hospitalizations fell by more than half this week
In addition, for this week 11, the Oscour network (which represents 67% of all emergency visits in mainland France) reported 674 passages for influenza, including 76 hospitalizations. As a result, the number of visits and hospitalizations has fallen by more than half since the peak observed by this network in week 8.
A total of 543 serious cases have been recorded since November 1, 2013. The peak of admission was reached in week 7.
And these patients were mostly infected with an A virus (mainly H1N1). They had risk factors targeted by vaccination and were not vaccinated.
In Europe, only Greece is still experiencing strong influenza activity
The latest bulletin from the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) published this Wednesday also takes stock of the situation in Europe. In week 10, among the 28 reporting countries, only Greece reported high intensity influenza activity. Nine countries reported moderate activity and 18 reported low intensity influenza activity.
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