Epidemic of gastric flu

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FIVE regions are affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis, an illness causing diarrhea and vomiting.

They are all above the “epidemic” level (204 cases per 100,000 of the population).

Those concerned, according to the Sentinelles network, which monitors illness trends, are Poitou-Charentes (212), Languedoc-Roussillon (250), Centre, Alsace (371) and Limousin (700).

Elsewhere in France levels are fairly low, no more than 132 cases on average.

Also known as gastric flu, it is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine, unrelated to ordinary flu. It is usually caused by a virus.

While unpleasant, doctors say it is rarely serious apart from in babies and the elderly.

A map of areas affected by acute diarrhea, one of the main symptoms, has been released:
Click here to see the map of epidemic hotspots - is your region affected?