A call for caution during this holiday season: the flu epidemic is “sharply increasing” throughout France

Children and the elderly were the most affected in the week before Christmas.

It is gaining ground everywhere. Santé publique France (SPF) points to a “sharp increase in all flu indicators in the city and in hospitals, in all age groups”, in its bulletin this Thursday.

“All regions” of mainland France are affected by the epidemic, which has clearly progressed during the week before Christmas. From December 16 to 22, “children under 15 were the most affected in the city and in hospital, but a marked increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations among people aged 65 and over was observed (58% of hospitalizations)”, as was the case among those under 5 (23% of hospitalizations).

Another signal to take into account, over this period, the public body recorded “122 deaths linked to influenza”, of which “108 concerned people aged 65 and over, 12 people aged 15 to 64 and 2 children under 15 years”.

But the situation is not considered alarming at this stage. “Compared to the five previous flu epidemics, the level of activity was moderate across all ages”, notes the agency.

“Be vigilant”

“This dynamic is on a relatively classic pattern, confirms Bruno Lina, professor of virology at the University Hospital of Lyon, speaking to BFMTV. We have an increase in the number of cases with children, who were the most affected at the start of the epidemic […] Now, we are indeed at risk of seeing a shift towards older people. This is where we need to be vigilant.”

Last year, the flu generated 1.5 million consultations and 14,000 hospitalizations after visits to the emergency room during the winter. Regarding bronchiolitis, SPF notes on the contrary a “decrease in the majority of indicators”, while Covid-19 remains stable, in the city as well as in the hospital.

Getting vaccinated

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself” against the flu and Covid-19, emphasizes Public Health France.

“In the context of gatherings during the end-of-year holidays, […] the adoption of barrier gestures remains essential to protect yourself from all winter illnesses: hand washing, ventilation of rooms and wearing a mask in case of symptoms (fever, sore throat or cough), in crowded places and in the presence of vulnerable people.”

Common sense advice as the outpouring of affection on New Year's Eve approaches.