2023-10-31 09:00:16
Winter 2023/2024 will be marked by close and simultaneous monitoring of three acute respiratory infections: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Covid. This is the announcement made a few days ago at a press conference by Santé Publique France. Zoom in on this unique device.
Acute respiratory infections closely monitored
Last winter will be remembered as that of a triple epidemic of Covid-19, RSV bronchiolitis and flu. And it is clear that this simultaneous circulation of different respiratory viruses following two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare system. Hence the need to consider more in-depth monitoring this year.
To avoid the same scenario next winter, Santé Publique France therefore plans to set up close epidemiological surveillance through complementary systems for monitoring acute respiratory infections.. Each week, the health agency will therefore publish a weekly bulletin common to the three acute respiratory infections, with data on each virus, broken down by region. The stated objective? Evaluate the weight that these acute respiratory infections represent in terms of public health as well as their impact on the provision of available care.
Microbiological monitoring of wastewater
But this year, indicators linked to screening and monitoring of variants will not be the only ones to provide valuable information on winter viruses. He It is in fact planned to additionally establish microbiological monitoring which will provide new indicators on SARS-CoV-2 thanks to the analysis of wastewater.
To know ! Microbiological monitoring of wastewater (SUM’EAU device) aims to detect the presence or absence of the Covid-19 virus in a specific geographical area and to estimate circulation trends.
Established during the Covid-19 pandemic, this wastewater surveillance system is interesting in that it allows the detection of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of Covid-19 while ensuring population surveillance independently of the strategy. screening. Every week, samples will be taken from wastewater treatment plants in twelve different French regions representative of our entire territory. And given that this wastewater monitoring device is currently dedicated to Sars-CoV-2, researchers are working on developing a similar device for other viruses.
Towards better monitoring of acute respiratory infections
All of these complementary monitoring systems will make it possible to monitor different respiratory infections in groups or individually and will be available with free access on the Géodes portal as well as on the data.gouv.fr website.
Essential for keeping the general public informed, this data is also essential for decision-making and the implementation of concrete actions on a national scale. Next step for public health professionals in France? Optimize this new surveillance strategy for acute respiratory viruses and enrich it in the medium term!
Déborah L., Doctor in Pharmacy
Source
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