In mainland France, five regions are now in the “ pre-epidemic » : the Centre-Val de Loire, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France and Normandy join Brittany, already in this situation for two weeks. Overseas, the epidemic has already been declared in Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion. If influenza viruses circulate frequently in October-November in Reunion, it is “atypical” at this time in the West Indies and Mayotte, notes Public Health France.
In absolute terms, the number of cases is still low in mainland France and is not likely to immediately put the healthcare system in difficulty. But their increase is strong: consultations for flu-like illness have thus jumped by two thirds compared to the previous week, and the number of visits to the emergency room for flu or flu-like symptoms by 39%.
The healthcare system is already facing an epidemic of bronchiolitis in babies, on an unprecedented scale for many years, and the persistent pressure of covid, for which hospitalizations have rebounded in recent days.
“In this context, it is strongly recommended that people at risk and healthcare professionals get vaccinated once morest seasonal flu without delay”, reaffirmed Public Health France. The vaccination campaign once morest the flu, which concerns in particular the over 65s, has been launched for a big month. But she does not take off. The main pharmacists’ unions warned this week of a high delay compared to last year.
