-
France urges flu vaccination after 17,000 deaths last winter
Last year’s season was particularly severe due to ‘low vaccination coverage’, experts say
-
Air traffic controller defends colleagues over near-fatal air crash at Nice
He blames airport lighting issues and claims ‘staff are deeply affected’ over the incident
-
Dordogne runs anti-mosquito operation after chikungunya outbreak
The campaign is ‘preventative’, with affected residents asked to stay indoors and bring in pets and washing
Pollen levels prompt allergy alert in south of France
Allergy sufferers urged to take precautions as pollen levels rise about a month earlier than usual

Allergy sufferers are being warned to watch out for heavy presence of cypress pollen in departments along the Mediterranean coast of France.
The pollen index is currently at maximum levels for cypress pollen in 11 departments along the south coast from the Alpes-Maritimes to Pyrénées-Orientales, prompting air quality and allergy watchdogs to ATMO, and the RNSA, the national aerobiological monitoring network to issue red air quality alerts for high pollen risk.
Another five departments heading into Nouvelle Aquitaine have been placed on orange pollen alert.
Away from those areas the allergy risk remains low, although a pollution spike in Ile de France caused by current high pressure levels, has prompted warnings that high pollution could exacerbate symptoms for those with allergies.
To keep up to date with pollen levels across France log on to the
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France