Epidemic levels declared for flu in Ile de France and Occitanie

Pre-epidemic levels present in five more regions. Cases of bronchiolitis in babies are also spreading

Hannah Thompson

Published Thursday 30 December 2021 - 15:03 Modified Thursday 30 December 2021 - 15:03

The Ile-de-France and Occitanie regions are officially suffering a flu epidemic, with the illness especially affecting young children, health body Sant茅 publique France (SPF) has confirmed.

Cases have been rising since autumn began, and have now reached 鈥榚pidemic鈥� proportions, breaching the official threshold of cases.

SPF said that the week of Christmas had been marked by 鈥渁 rise in flu indicators, especially among children鈥�.

An official epidemic has been declared in Occitanie and Ile-de-France while pre-epidemic levels are being seen in Brittany, Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, Pays de la Loire and Provence-Alpes-C么te d鈥橝zur.

Only Normandy and Bourgogne-Franche-Comt茅 have so far remained at lower levels.

[] Bulletin 茅pid茅miologique du 29 d茅cembre
鉃★笍 Poursuite de l鈥檃ugmentation des indicateurs grippe, particuli猫rement chez les
馃憠 Pour consulter le bulletin
— Sant茅publiqueFrance (@SantePubliqueFr)

Impact of Covid

The Covid pandemic has had a mixed impact on flu cases.

While barrier gestures helped to stop the spread last year, this means that the population has a lack of immunity this year. This could lead to a rise in flu cases, as well as those for other viruses such as gastroenteritis.

The flu vaccination campaign opened to the general public on November 23 this year, and will remain open until January 31.

Cases of bronchiolitis are also spreading at epidemic levels across much of the country. This is despite a 鈥渟light improvement鈥� this year compared to previous years.

Yet, hospitalisations for bronchiolitis, which mainly affects babies, have dropped in the past week. The contagious condition causes a cough and breathing difficulties.

While it is usually managed at home, severe cases can require urgent hospitalisation.

SPF said there had been 鈥渁 drop in trips to emergency (A&E) and of hospitalisations鈥�. In total, 3,824 children visited A&E due to bronchiolitis last week, of which a third were hospitalised.

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