The epidemic phenomenon observed in a clinic in Haute-Savoie seems to be under control. It is neither disturbing nor exceptional. More cases are expected to arise this winter.
The Rhône-Alpes region remains below the epidemic threshold for the moment, despite the cases of influenza A detected at the end of last week in a convalescence center in Villaz, near Annecy, in Haute-Savoie. The director of this 143-bed establishment, the Château de Bon attractiveness, indicated that the propagation phase seemed to be over with 3 confirmed cases and 35 people treated preventively because they had flu-like symptoms.
“This epidemic phenomenon located in an establishment for the elderly is nothing exceptional or worrying, there will be dozens of others during the winter”, reassures Professor Bruno Lina, virologist at the CHU de Lyon and director of the National Flu Reference Center for the southern area of France. The virus is currently being analyzed in its Lyon laboratory to determine the viral strain involved. “It is most likely a type A H3N2 virus, it is much more common in the elderly than the A H1N1 virus”, prognosis the specialist.
As the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine is only partial in the elderly, it is the vaccination of relatives that protects them from the dangerous consequences of the flu. “The higher the vaccination rate of healthcare workers and visiting families, the lower the number of infected people. Vaccination of those around them acts as a barrier around the elderly vulnerable to influenza, ”explains Bruno Lina. With only 25% of health professionals vaccinated against influenza according to figures published by theHealth watch institute in November, the barrier is rather easy for the virus to cross.
Links of interest *
Prof. Bruno Lina declares a link of interest with the Sanofi-Pasteur laboratory as part of the National Influenza Reference Center and in a personal capacity as a member of the Scientific Council of the Expertise and Information Group on influenza ( unpaid activity) and the European Scientific Working group on Influenza (unpaid activity).
