Every year, an increase in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is observed caused mainly by the circulation of noroviruses and rotaviruses. Noroviruses are responsible for AGE in people of all ages, while rotaviruses mainly affect children under 5 years of age.
During the winter season, Public Health France monitors, with its network of partners, the epidemiological evolution of acute gastroenteritis and publishes weekly national and regional epidemiological bulletins on its website. This data is also made available in open data on Geodes.
Santé publique France is today publishing the winter monitoring report covering the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons in mainland France and recalls the simple actions to take to limit the risk of contamination.
What are the highlights of the last two seasons?
2020-2021: a season marked by a historically low level of activity
The low level of activity observed from March 2020 (end of the 2019-2020 season), in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, continued during the 2020-2021 season. In city medicine or in hospital emergency departments, activity remained relatively stable and lower than the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in all metropolitan areas.
A return to activity comparable to pre-COVID seasons during winter 2021-2022
The activity levels recorded throughout the 2021-2022 season were once more comparable to those observed during the pre-COVID seasons. In hospital emergencies, activity for acute gastroenteritis remained close to historical maximums, from December 2021 to April 2022. Consultations at SOS Médecins were similar to the data observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weekly evolution of the proportion of hospital emergency visits for AGE in mainland France, all ages, Oscour data, winter seasons 2018-2022
To download
Acute gastroenteritis: review of the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 winter seasons
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Children under 5: a particularly affected population in 2021
In children under 5, the activity of acute gastroenteritis was particularly marked by a sharp increase from mid-November 2021, reaching levels of activity comparable to the maximums observed during the pre-COVID seasons at the end of the year. same period. This significant resumption of activity in this age group might be explained by the lack of acquired immunization once morest the most frequently isolated viruses (rotavirus and norovirus) in the two cohorts of children born in 2020 and 2021, increasing thus the number of children susceptible to enteric viruses. Indeed, the barrier measures taken to control the COVID-19 epidemic (strengthening of hygiene measures, confinements, closure of nursery schools, etc.) may have limited the circulation of enteric viruses1.
Rotavirus vaccination for infants and young children
The vaccination once morest rotavirus is now recommended by the HAS in France for all infants. Its purpose is to protect young children from the sometimes serious diarrhea caused by these viruses, which may require hospitalization. In order to inform parents, Public Health France has created a new information leaflet: 5 good reasons to get vaccinated. This leaflet can be downloaded from our website and available to order for all healthcare professionals.
To download
Rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants: 5 good reasons to get vaccinated
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In addition, the vaccination-info-service.fr website answers questions that the general public and health professionals may have regarding vaccination.
How to prevent the risk of acute gastroenteritis?
- Washing your hands frequently (prefer water and soap, otherwise a hydro-alcoholic product) is one of the best ways to limit the transmission of enteric viruses.
- Thoroughly and regularly clean surfaces at high risk of transmission (in pediatric wards, nurseries, institutions caring for the elderly), as some viruses (rotavirus and norovirus) are very resistant in the environment.
- Rehydrate early with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), especially in infants, to prevent complications from acute diarrhoea.
- Vaccination once morest rotavirus is now recommended in France for all infants.
Missions of Public Health France concerning vaccination
- Promoting vaccination to the general public and health professionals
- Monitor the evolution of the perception of vaccination in the population and among health professionals and strengthen their level of confidence
- Ensuring epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases
- Monitor vaccination coverage
- Participate in the expertise on vaccine policies at national and European level.
1- Nisavanh, A., Horrigue, I., Debin, M. et al. Epidemiology of acute gastroenteritis in France from November 2019–August 2021, in light of reported adherence to COVID-19 barrier measures. Sci Rep 12, 17504 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-22317-7
