France facing an influenza epidemic

As of mid-January 2017, influenza is continuing to spread across France and has now reached most regions. The health authorities have noted an increase in the demand for outpatient care. This is a timely reminder that although seasonal influenza is usually a mild disease, it can also be fatal, especially for those with a weakened immune system.

With 409 consultations for flu-like symptoms per 100,000 people in France and 16% of all SOS Médecins consultations currently for flu-like symptoms, the influenza epidemic is taking hold throughout the country. These figures from Santé Publique France (previously the Institute for Public Health Surveillance, InVS) are based on reports from a network of private practice physicians, emergency physicians, laboratories, intensive care unit specialists and epidemiologists that are monitoring the influenza epidemic. In the January 18 edition of its weekly epidemiological bulletin, the health authority observed a "constant increase in the epidemic in most regions, with an upswing in demand for outpatient care." This is an epidemic of influenza virus subtype A (H3N2), which can be severe in elderly patients.

The National Reference Center (CNR) for Influenza Viruses at the Institut Pasteur, which is responsible for monitoring influenza, is currently busy analyzing 40 to 50 samples from general practices and hospitals every day.

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