According to the Sentinelles-Inserm network, the flu epidemic has ended in France, with the arrival of spring. This is also the case in Europe, where no country is experiencing strong activity.
It’s official, the flu epidemic that affected France for several weeks is over. According to the latest bulletin from the Sentinelles-Inserm network published this Wednesday, in metropolitan France, last week, the incidence rate of cases of influenza-like illness seen in general practice was estimated at 43 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, “in below the epidemic threshold ”set at 121 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The end of the flu epidemic is confirmed, along with the arrival of spring.
Only Brittany remains above the epidemic threshold
In detail, at the regional level, the highest incidence rate was noted in Brittany (122 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), still above the epidemic threshold. Regarding the cases reported, last week, the median age was 35 years. Men accounted for 61% of the cases. And the clinical pictures reported by the “Sentinel doctors” did not show any particular sign of seriousness.
In addition, according to forecast models based on historical data and on drug sales data (IMS-Health), “the level of influenza-like illness activity should continue to decline in the coming weeks”, specify these epidemiologists.
Flu hospitalizations are falling day by day
In addition, according to the latest bulletin from the Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), patients seriously affected by influenza are also fewer and fewer in hospitals. Thus, in week 12, the Oscour network (which represents 67% of all emergency room visits in mainland France) reported 525 influenza passages, including 37 hospitalizations.
Conclusion of the InVS, the number of visits and hospitalizations continued to decrease since the peak observed in week 7.
Another result, last week, 40 new severe cases of influenza admitted to intensive care were reported, a total of 583 severe cases since November 1, 2013.
The majority of patients were infected with an A virus (mainly H1N1). However, most of them had risk factors targeted by vaccination, but were not vaccinated.
The epidemic is also ending in Europe
Finally, the flu epidemic is also coming to an end in other European countries. In week 11, according to the bulletin of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), among the 29 reporting countries, none reported strong influenza activity.
Twelve countries reported moderate activity and 17 reported low intensity influenza activity.
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