Three French regions at pre-epidemic stage for flu
Public health authority advises people to get vaccinated
Cases of flu and bronchiolitis are on the rise in some parts of France but Covid-19 levels are low
Anatoliy Cherkas/Shutterstock, Graphic/Santé Publique France
Three French regions have entered the pre-epidemic ‘orange’ phase for flu, reports public health authority Santé Publique France (SPF) in its latest November bulletin.
The announcement, published on Wednesday November 26, placed Normandy, Île-de-France and Nouvelle-Aquitaine under an orange warning for “increased flu indicators” observed last week (November 17 – 23).
The bulletin also states that flu cases are increasing in all age groups in France as the virus begins to circulate, particularly among children.
Vaccination campaigns underway
The flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign has been underway since October 14.
French health experts have urged people in France to get the flu vaccine, as last year’s epidemic was particularly severe due to “low coverage”.
The SPF also confirmed that while indicators surrounding Covid-19 are “declining and at low levels,” people are still encouraged to take up the vaccination.
The vaccination campaign is aimed at “all individuals aged 65 and over, those at risk of severe illness, pregnant women, residents of nursing homes and long-term care centres, as well as people living with or in regular contact with individuals who are immunocompromised or vulnerable to severe forms of the infection, including healthcare professionals,” reads the SPF bulletin.
People are also encouraged to:
wear a mask at the first sign of symptoms (fever, runny nose or cough) – especially in crowded places or when with at-risk individuals
wash hands thoroughly and regularly
ventilate rooms regularly
Bronchiolitis cases also increasing
Cases of bronchiolitis – a common chest infection that affects babies and young children – are also increasing in several areas of France.
Four regions are in a ‘red’ epidemic phase:
Brittany
Normandy
Pays de la Loire
Île-de-France
Six regions are in an ‘orange’ pre-epidemic phase:
