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Updated
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in collaboration with
Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
Medical validation:
December 10, 2022
According to Public Health France, nine French regions have entered the epidemic phase. A rapid progression of the virus which is accompanied by a marked increase in the number of hospitalizations.
Even though the bronchiolitis epidemic is not abating and the 9th wave of Covid-19 continues to progress, nine regions of France have moved into the epidemic phase and four into the pre-epidemic phase.
9 regions in red, 4 in orange
According to the latest report from Public Health France, the flu is more and more present in France.
Indeed, 9 regions are now placed in the epidemic phase. These are Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Grand-Est, Centre-Val-de-Loire, Ile-de-France, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Burgundy-Franche-Comté.
Four regions have also entered the pre-epidemic phase: Pays de la Loire, New Aquitaine, Occitanie and Corsica.
According to the national public health agency, this development is accompanied by a “marked increase in influenza indicators in all age groups“and one”very sharp increase in hospitalizations, particularly among people aged 65 and over (+112% compared to the previous week).
More flu-like syndromes in children under 15
The proportion of flu-like illnesses among SOS Médecins consultations was also up sharply (+3.5 points). A trend that concerned all age groups, especially those under 15 years old.
“Compared to the data observed during the 2015-16 to 2021-22 seasons, activity in community medicine for flu-like illness was up sharply but still remained this week at a low epidemic level.“, also adds Public Health France.
To fight against the epidemic – which is likely to last given its seasonal nature – vaccination remains the main weapon.
“People over the age of 65, pregnant women, frail individuals and caregivers should especially get vaccinated. As a reminder, pharmacists can now administer vaccines. Flu and Covid-19 co-vaccination is also possible“, says Dr. Kierzerk.
The emergency doctor adds that given the mode of contamination of the flu virus – the same as the coronavirus – “The same barrier gestures must be respected and applied: wearing a mask, washing hands and regular ventilation of its interior.“.
As of December 5, only 9.7% of 60-79 year olds eligible for vaccination have received a booster adapted to the Omicron variant, according to Public Health France.