Two more French regions now at epidemic level for flu
Majority of departments are now at highest risk level but hospitals admissions are ‘low’
Flu is on the rise across France
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Two regions in the north of France have seen flu cases rise to ‘epidemic’ levels. It means the majority of regions on the mainland are now at the highest level.
Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France saw their levels increase after data for week 51 of the year (December 18 – 24) was released.
They join Grand-est, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and Occitanie at epidemic level.
All other mainland departments in the west of France are at the second-highest ‘pre-epidemic’ level, with the mass movement of people across the country to visit family and friends for Christmas considered a contributing factor to the high levels.
Hospital admissions for people with flu-like symptoms have increased by 38% in a week, but are still “low” compared to maximum hospital capacity, say the health authorities.
In addition, there is little risk of a repeat of December 2022’s triple-epidemic of Covid, flu, and bronchitis, which stretched emergency departments across the country.
Bronchitis cases are falling across the country.
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Younger people see biggest rise
The number of people seeking medical consultations for ‘flu-like symptoms’ was 278 per 100,000, up from 228 the week before (December 10 – 17).
“Indicators of flu/flu-like illness are on the rise in outpatient clinics and hospitals, for all age groups, but more particularly 0-14 year olds,” said the health authorities after raising the levels in the two departments last week.
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This also holds for the 65+ age group, but to “a lesser extent” than the younger generation.
Health authorities are still recommending that people take precautionary measures including “wearing a mask in the event of symptoms, in crowded places and in the presence of vulnerable people.”
Santé Publique say these measures are “vital… against the backdrop of high circulation of the various respiratory viruses,” however they are currently only guidelines with no official rules in place.
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