Several regions in France are seeing rising indicators for the ‘triple epidemic’ threat of Covid, flu, and bronchiolitis, health authorities have warned.
In its latest update on December 5, Santé publique France (SPF) warned that the majority of regions in mainland France had now entered an “epidemic phase” for bronchiolitis (a respiratory illness that particularly affects infants and children under five), and rising indicators in many regions for flu.
The latest SPF update shows the regional epidemic status of bronchiolitis, flu, and CovidSanté publique France
A full update on the epidemic status of each region individually can be found on the SPF website here.
Bronchiolitis
The whole of France is now at epidemic level for bronchiolitis.
“For children under two, bronchiolitis is the reason for 15.1% of trips to A&E and 30.5% of hospitalisations for this age group,” said SPF.
Flu
The Ile-de-France region has been at epidemic stage for flu since the end of November, it said, with rising indicators in Brittany, Normandy, Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
“Flu indicators continue to rise in towns and hospitals and in all age groups,” the bulletin states. “The rate of influenza rose sharply in towns and cities.”
And while the flu epidemic remains at a “low level” SPF warned that it is set to become more widespread and virulent over the coming weeks.
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Covid
Covid is at a much lower level than flu or bronchiolitis with no areas at epidemic level currently.
“The level of circulation in wastewater was down” in the last week of November, said SPF.
Yet, it warned that people aged over 65 are still in danger and that older people in this age group are most likely to be admitted to intensive care if they do test positive for the virus.
SPF said: “Among people aged 65 and over, 267 hospital admissions were recorded (between November 25 and December 1) following a visit to emergency departments for Covid or suspected Covid, representing 0.8% of hospital admissions in this age group”.
Over the same period, 1.4% of deaths among this age group, declared by electronic certificate, were linked to Covid-19.
Vaccinations
Health authorities are warning people to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, particularly for flu and Covid.
The Health Ministry has once again warned that vaccination rates are still too low in France with just one child in 20 fully vaccinated against Covid. Among the 5-11 age group in Occitanie, for example, just 5.4% have completed their vaccination schedule for Covid.
Authorities are also reminding people to have a flu vaccine, with this preventative measure still only taken by vulnerable people. However, the flu vaccine can be very effective among all age groups.
The latest Covid and flu vaccination campaign - people can have both vaccines at the same time - began on October 15 this year.
Vulnerable people are eligible for a free vaccination of each type, but anyone can go to a pharmacy, nurse, or GP for a vaccine (although they do have to pay around €7.50 for each at a pharmacy, or the consultation fee of €26.50 (€30 after December 22) for a GP if going this route).
