Influenza: a late epidemic finally down this week

The weekly report from Public Health France, published this Wednesday, April 20, finally gives good news. The flu epidemic is on the decline in mainland France and the number of deaths linked to this pathology is decreasing.

But beware, stresses the health authority, “although decreasing, influenza indicators were still at high levels marking a still intense circulation of influenza viruses alongside SARS-CoV-2″. Overseas, Réunion and Mayotte are in the pre-epidemic phase.

Fewer consultations and deaths

The number of consultations in city medicine, such as hospital admissions, whether for flu or flu syndrome has declined. The number of deaths has also for the first time been counted downwards.

These deaths mainly concern people aged 65 or over (85%) but 13 deaths were recorded in people under the age of 15.

Barrier gestures still in effect

Although both down, the flu and Covid-19 viruses are still circulating and Public Health France stresses the importance of barrier gestures and vaccination, especially for those most at risk, such as the elderly. Indeed, the health authority insists on the vaccination which only concerned a little more than half of the population at risk, that is to say approximately 52.6% of the persons concerned.

Who should get vaccinated?

The flu virus kills every year. Because it evolves, it is essential to protect yourself against it and to be vaccinated every year. Vaccination specifically targets people at risk of developing a severe form of influenza. It is primarily:

• people aged 65 and over;
• people under 65 suffering from certain chronic illnesses;
• pregnant women;
• people suffering from obesity (body mass index greater than or equal to 40).

People who are not very fragile, such as young people or people in good health, can also be vaccinated.

In addition, respecting barrier gestures also remains one of the best ways to fight the epidemic.