INFLUENZA 2023. The influenza epidemic is down slightly in early January, but the virus is still circulating very intensely in France. No region is spared. Map and point of situation by region.
At the start of 2023, the flu epidemic is slowing down but remains at a high level, reports Public health France in its last bulletin of January 4, 2023. All regions of metropolitan France are in the epidemic phase. The most affected departments are Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne and Seine-Saint-Denis. The threat of a deadlier seasonal flu than in previous years (she was absent during the winter of 2020-2021), and the risk of excess mortality linked to viral co-infections, are to be feared, reports the Academy of Medicine. Must therefore be careful and absolutely respect barrier gestures (mask, ventilation, etc.). In this viral context, France must “redouble your efforts” in terms of vaccination, estimates the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). WHO recommends a vaccination rate of 75%. As much as “we have not had a strong flu epidemic for two years and therefore our overall immunity to the flu has probably waned“, warned Professor Brigitte Autran, president of Covars, on October 4 on RMC.
How many cases of flu in France at the moment?
In week 52 (last week of December 2022), the rate of consultations for flu-like illness estimated from Sentinel network data was 286/100,000 inhabitants, decreasing compared to the previous week (–26%). That downward trend was observed in all age groups, except for those aged 65 and over. Nevertheless, the activity in city medicine for flu syndrome remains at a high intensity level in 65 year olds and more. 370 serious cases of influenza have been reported by the forty intensive care units participating in the surveillance, including 269 since S50. Among those for whom the age was given, 31 were between 0 and 4 years old, 17 between 5 and 14 years old, 164 were between 15 and 64 years old and 153 were 65 years old or older. For the 347 cases for which the virus was typed, 329 type A viruses and 18 type B viruses were identified. 24 deaths have been reported: 14 among those aged 65 or over, 8 among those aged 15 to 64 and 2 among those under 15.
France map of the 2023 flu epidemic
According to Public Health France, as of January 4, 2023:
- Slowing of the circulation of influenza viruses but maintenance at a high level
- Indicators in city medicine and emergencies down but possible rebound after the end of the year holidays
- Increase in hospitalizations and deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over
- Overseas: Passage of Saint-Martin in the pre-epidemic phase
How long will the flu epidemic last?
In France, the flu epidemic occurs every year, usually between the months of November and April, with a start most often at the end of December – beginning of January. She lasts on average 10 to 11 weeks.
Is the flu a serious illness?
The flu is a acute respiratory infectionof viral origin, in other words, due to a Influenza virus. It is an infectious and contagious disease, which is manifested by fever, cough, aches, headaches, chills…
Influenza is subject to seasonal epidemics, generally observed during fall and winter. It differs from a flu syndrome which can be due to many other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus… Most of the time mild, the flu can however be serious in fragile people.
Sources: Public Health France.