For Bruno Lina, virologist, the flu epidemic, which affects the United States and clutters the emergency services, is not likely to occur in France.
New York, like the rest of the United States, is at the heart of a major influenza epidemic wave. The culprit: the “H3N2” virus. It caused four times more casualties than last winter and caused a mess in the emergency departments of American hospitals. Moreover, according to projections, the peak of the epidemic has not yet reached across the Atlantic. .
Present in France last year, this strain is no more dangerous than the others, but its epidemic character is more important.
For Professor Bruno Lina, director of the National Influenza Reference Center, France should not experience a comparable episode.
Interview with Prof. Bruno Lina, Director of the National Influenza Reference Center
why-docteur.com: Why is New York City overwhelmed by such an epidemic?
Prof. Bruno Lina. Like the rest of the United States, New York is currently experiencing an epidemic wave of influenza. It is an essentially H3N2 type virus that we had last year in France and which has given rise to a major epidemic here too. At the end of the day, what the American city is seeing is just an increase in the use of hospital emergencies.
Why is this epidemic so important?
Prof. Bruno Lina. There can be several reasons: an “H3N2” virus gives rise to larger epidemics. Also, although I don’t think it is, the collection system may be more reliable than last year, which is to be observed if the numbers increase from year to year. Finally, in epidemic viruses, it is not always the same individuals who are affected. There, for example, we have many schools affected, transmission among children is very good and therefore the epidemic is increasing. In addition, the cold also promotes the transmission of these viruses. When a “period of extreme cold” and an epidemic coincide, the scale of epidemics is greater and, above all, the mortality linked to these epidemics is higher. This virus is not more dangerous. He’s just more epidemic than the rest.
Why have the American authorities sounded the alarm bells?
Prof. Bruno Lina. We forget every winter that there is going to be an influenza epidemic and that hospital capacity may be limited. We then find ourselves with difficulties in the care of patients; that’s what’s happening in New York. The city then decided to sound the alarm bells because they have probably not yet reached the epidemic threshold. The establishment of a better reception organization is essential to avoid problems.
Can France be affected by this epidemic wave of H3N2?
Prof. Bruno Lina No, in France, we are at the start of the flu epidemic. Moreover, the situation is not at all the same. We have the three influenza viruses that circulate (H1N1, H3N2, B) in an almost equivalent way, with as many proportions of patients for each virus. New York City is experiencing an essentially “H3N2” epidemic. We experienced it last year, so it is very unlikely to have in France an epidemic outbreak of H3N2 as important as the one currently raging in the United States.
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