November 23, 2016.
Bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis are increasing in many regions of France. If the bronchiolitis is on time on the forecasts, the gastroenteritis is well ahead since epidemics traditionally do not start until the beginning of January.
Gastroenteritis greatly exceeds epidemic threshold in several regions
The lull was only short-lived. After the All Saints holidays, gastroenteritis is on the rise again in many regions of France. According to the latest data published by the Research Institute for the Valorization of Health Data (Irsan), 366.27 cases per 100,000 inhabitants were recorded by SOS Médecins in the week of November 14 to 20, ie well above the epidemic threshold (148 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
According to data collected by the organization, the regions of the eastern half of France are currently the most affected. Nevertheless, the epidemic is progressing rapidly in the West and it is in Brittany, the Pays de la Loire and Normandy that the contagion phenomenon is most spectacular. The gastroenteritis epidemic is particularly virulent this year since at the same time last year, data from Irsan only identified 219.96 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Bronchiolitis starts in November and ends in early January
The bronchiolitis epidemic arrives on schedule. Between November 14 and 20, Irsan recorded 17,672 new cases, an increase of 36% compared to last year. Not all regions are yet affected by this epidemic and Île-de-France, Hauts-de-France and Normandy are mainly concerned.
Other regions could quickly reach this epidemic threshold since data from Irsan indicate that the epidemic is progressing very quickly in the Center-Val-de-Loire, in Occitanie and in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Traditionally, the outbreak of bronchiolitis ends around the first days of January.
To read also: Bronchiolitis – Solutions, Prevention, Advice
