Last week, “flu indicators were still on the rise in mainland France, although the increase was less marked compared to the previous four weeks”.
The evolution of the epidemic varied according to the regions, rising in nine of them but stable in four others.
In community medicine, the rate of influenza-related consultations has increased further, but the proportion of flu-like illnesses among SOS Médecins consultations has remained stable.
late peak
However, the number of hospitalizations linked to the epidemic continued to rise (1,089, +17% over one week).
In addition, “the share of influenza-related deaths among all deaths from electronic certification was still on the rise” last week, “exceeding the level reached during the peak of the 2019-2020 influenza epidemic” , observed Public Health France.
“The share of influenza-related deaths among all deaths from electronic certification was still on the rise” the past week, “exceeding the level reached during the peak of the 2019-2020 influenza epidemic”
These deaths mainly concerned people aged 65 or over (83%). However, a dozen deaths were recorded among people under 15 and nearly forty among people aged 15 to 64.
Usually, the peak of this epidemic caused by respiratory influenza viruses is reached around February.
The late resumption of influenza this year may be linked to lower herd immunity to this epidemic. In the winter of 2020-2021, the French were less infected than usual, because the anti-Covid containment measures blocked the circulation of many other viruses.
In addition, the intensification of recent weeks has most likely been favored by the easing of anti-Covid measures, in particular the lifting of the mandatory mask.
