2023-10-13 05:34:03
Bronchiolitis has returned earlier than expected in France, as well as in overseas regions and departments. Île-de-France, Martinique and Guadeloupe have notably been placed on epidemic alert.
It’s one of parents’ biggest fears and it’s coming back with a vengeance. Bronchiolitis, this winter epidemic, leads to its share of hospitalizations each year. Between 2022 and 2023, there will be more than 70,000 visits to the emergency room.
According to a bulletin published this Wednesday, October 11 by Public Health France, a significant increase in this respiratory infection has occurred in France in recent times. A region of the mainland territory and two overseas communities were also targeted: Île-de-France, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
Who is affected and how to identify it?
While everyone can be affected by respiratory infections, it is children under 2 years old who are most exposed to the risk of contamination. Fortunately, bronchiolitis is benign, generally caused by a respiratory virus that causes inflammation of the walls of the small bronchi, called bronchioles.
However, infants under two months of age can contract a more serious form requiring hospitalization. The main victims are premature infants, exposed to smoking, suffering from heart disease or having lung fragility.
Characterized by respiratory difficulty, the signs of which are mainly coughing and rapid, wheezing breathing, it is easily treatable, but it is important to know how to recognize it. Particularly contagious, it is transmitted through bronchial secretions such as sneezing or blowing one’s nose, but also through direct exchange with contaminated objects. Bronchiolitis lasts on average ten days, but the first two require more monitoring.
An increase in infections in France
“The increases are comparable to those observed in the two years prior to the same period, reflecting an early start once more in activity linked to bronchiolitis,” explained Santé Public France in its bulletin.
According to the report, among the 6,411 medical procedures carried out by SOS Médocs for children under two years old, 334 were linked to bronchiolitis, or 5%. “Among the 503 children hospitalized, 470 (93%) were aged less than one year. An increase in hospitalizations following visits to the emergency room for bronchiolitis was observed in children under 2 years old (+11% compared to the previous week),” added the health agency.
The report also indicates the presence of other viruses likely to induce bronchiolitis, which are currently circulating, such as rhinovirus.
Thus, numerous cases recorded in Île-de-France, Guadeloupe and Martinique have pushed the organization to place them in the epidemic phase. Other regions and departments are in the pre-epidemic phase and therefore remain monitored, such as Guyana and Occitanie.
Although this epidemic is not very serious, the health agency emphasizes the vigilance and anticipation that must be demonstrated to avoid any risk of infection.
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