The flu epidemic is over, but the disease is largely responsible for the excess mortality seen this winter, according to new publications from the French Public Health Agency.
In january 2017, François Bourdillon, director general of the agency Public Health France had declared to the press 8,100 excess deaths. According to him, three-quarters of these deaths were due to the flu. “It is an epidemic of great severity whose trends resemble those of 2014-2015”, a winter which was marked by a significant excess mortality of 18,000 people, partly attributable to the flu “, he explained.
Today, these assertions are confirmed by the Public Health France agency. “Over the first nine weeks of the flu epidemic, from early December to early February, the number of excess deaths from all causes is estimated at 19,400,” said the organization.
An epidemic more deadly than two years ago
Two years ago, the epidemic of flu was remarkable because it had caused an excess mortality of 18,300 deaths. The toll this year is heavier, because this figure stands at 19,400. But, “unlike two years ago, this increase in mortality concerns almost exclusively people aged 65 or over,” explained the public agency.
Bruno Lina, virologist @CHUdeLyon explains why the severity of epidemics #flu varies from year to year https://t.co/cIoTllMz2A
– SantépubliqueFrance (@santeprevention) February 9, 2017
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