The circulation of influenza viruses is intensifying in the metropolitan area. In the last weekly influenza surveillance bulletin, Santé Publique France underlines the following key points:
In week 52 (December 27, 2021 to January 2, 2022), influenza activity was increasing in most areas, with the passage in the epidemic phase of the Ile de France, Occitania and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, all other regions being in the pre-epidemic phase with the exception of Corsica.
Most indicators of influenza in adults are on the rise:
- The incidence rate of consultations for ILI was 106 per 100,000 population (Sentinels network) at week 52, an increase of 66% compared to week 51, this increase being mainly carried by 5-14 year olds and 15-64 year olds.
- There was a slight decrease in the number of emergency room visits for influenza or influenza-like illness with 2,501 visits (vs. 2,741 in W51, i.e. –9%) but an increase in hospitalizations following going to the emergency room (309 in week 52 versus 268 in week 51, i.e. + 15%).
- Since week 40, among the 211 intensive care units participating in the surveillance, 53 severe cases of influenza have been reported, including 14 in week 52. Of these cases, 25 cases involved children under 15 years old, a higher proportion than in previous seasons. Two deaths have been reported in children under 2 years of age due to A (H1N1) pdm09 virus.
Virologically
- In city medicine: since week 40, among the 841 samples taken by doctors from the Sentinels network, 77 influenza viruses have been detected, all of type A, including 9 in week 52 (31% positivity rate) and 12 during the week 51 (20% positivity rate).
- At the moment, the predominantly circulating virus is the influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus (Among the 77 viruses detected in town, 43 were of the (H1N1) pdm09 subtype, 31 of the (H3N2) subtype ) and 3 have not been subtyped).
French health authorities consider that although nearly 12 million people have been vaccinated once morest seasonal flu, there is still a large margin of progress to limit the impact of the influenza epidemic, the occurrence of which concomitantly with the fifth wave of covid 19 might have a major impact on the supply of care, particularly in hospitals, including pediatric intensive care.
To limit the circulation of the influenza virus in the territory, severe forms of influenza, including among the youngest, and limit the impact on the health system, it is important to continue the effort of vaccination once morest flu.
For these reasons, the seasonal flu vaccination campaign is extended until February 28, 2022. The vaccinations of people targeted by the recommendations made following January 31 will therefore be covered by Health Insurance.
The vaccine decision support system and digital vaccination record of MyVaccines have been updated with this information.
Source: Directorate General of Health. Ministry of Solidarity and Health.
