Health issue

Man ‘plotted to kill’ osteopath who left him disabled in France

The man, who suffered irreversible damage to his spinal cord, is accused of hiring hitmen to engineer a ‘revenge’ killing

France to introduce first ever blood test for bipolar disorder

The test, from a French start-up, promises to reduce diagnosis time from around 10 years to a few weeks

French cafes with staff with Down or autism exports idea to New York

Café Joyeux Lexington is in Manhattan, NYC, and works with local associations to recruit a ‘happy team’

news

How does your local French hospital fare in official quality rankings?

The certification authority considered factors including coordination of care, risk prevention and pain management

‘Medicines to avoid in 2024’ list published by French medical review

The 105 drugs are considered to be ‘more dangerous than useful’ but the majority are still widely available and used

Where in France do people admit to drinking too much alcohol?

More than a quarter of respondents in two western regions of France say they exceed recommended drinking guidelines

Allergy sufferers warned with most of France on highest pollen alert

Experts say grass pollen has been spreading north from the south of the country

Most of France on ‘red allergy alert’ for grass and other pollens

The south is particularly affected. Current estimates are that around 30% of the population suffer from plant allergies

Bronchiolitis epidemic arrives early in France this year

Four departments are in an epidemic while seven others are in a pre-epidemic stage

France to hold national debate over legalising assisted suicide

President Macron has announced a citizens’ convention after a report from France’s ethics body opened the door to reforms to assisted suicide laws

Is there any support in France for English-speakers with Alzheimer’s

We look into what help you can get if you have Alzheimer's or know someone with this disease

Sarlat, Jonzac: Hospitals in France where situation is ‘very worrying’

A lack of staff is causing major problems in smaller hospitals across the country

New food cheque should only cover healthy products, say French MPs

Parliamentarians affiliated with President Macron have called for the government aid to focus on ‘non-carcinogenic’ items only

French legal investigation opened after two contaminated pizza deaths

The involuntary homicide inquiry follows the E.coli poisoning linked to a batch of Buitoni pizzas

Supermarket cooked ham recalled across France due to listeria risk

The batches were sold at Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché and Casino between January 10 and 20

France releases list of 93 dangerous medicines to avoid

An annual list of medicines which are ‘more dangerous than useful’ has been released. People taking them are advised to seek replacements

France to address medicine shortage as situation worsens

As the medication shortage worsens in France, the Senate and MPs are debating how to address it - as a consumer association condemns the 'inaction'

President Macron speech to offer clarity on lockdown end

President Macron is to speak at 20:00 this Tuesday, in a bid to provide ‘clarity and coherence’ on the ‘misery without end’ ahead of lockdown lifting

Air pollution: More car bans coming in urban France

An European rules get tighter, 11 urban low emission zones are planned for 2021 in France, with an extra 35 by 2025

President Macron to speak on France's deconfinement stages

The President will next week announce measures to begin transitioning out of lockdown as the current rules are ‘starting to bear fruit’

France poll: 46% would decline Covid vaccination

A survey has shown increasing reticence towards vaccination against Covid-19 in France, even as vaccine trials yield positive results

Disposable masks can be reused 10 times says French group

Surgical style face masks remain effective after machine washing up to 10 times, UFC-Que Choisir has said, saving both money and the environment

One million rapid Covid tests to be given to French schools

The tests are to be distributed next week, as school staff continue strikes over Covid-19 health protocols today

France dismisses idea of extra Covid lockdown for elderly

Officials deny rumours of targeted isolation plans, but suggest debate on introducing checks to ensure people with Covid are staying at home

France Covid update: Minister sees ‘difficult’ weeks ahead

As France hits a record 58,046 cases in 24 hours the health minister reminded the public to respect confinement, predicting several scenarios,

Will it save Christmas? French study models lockdown effect

The new Institut Pasteur model suggests outcomes for number of new cases if the R0 number is reduced to between 0.7 and 1.2

French doctors say ibuprofen is ‘no risk’ to Covid patients

New studies have led French doctors to say that contrary to announcements in March, ibuprofen offers ‘no risk’ to patients with Covid

15-minute Covid-19 tests now in Paris train stations

Walk-in Covid testing centres have been set up outside five busy stations in the French capital to test travellers on their way to and from work

Covid-19 antigen tests available soon in French pharmacies

The 15-minute tests will be in 50% of pharmacies within two weeks as daily Covid-19 figures rise to new heights

France issues dietary supplement warning amid Covid crisis

A list of plant-based supplements that could interfere with the body’s immune response against Covid has been issued by health and food safety agency Anses

EU in €220m plan to transfer Covid patients between states

The plan is to ease pressure on overloaded hospitals, alongside other coordinated Covid efforts on inter-EU travel and future vaccines

French hotels offer curfew ‘night out’

Some hotels are offering nights out past 21:00 including dinner and a room, for the same price as the fine for breaking curfew

France in ‘critical’ Covid-19 second wave amid record cases

The scientific council president issued a warning, as cases of Covid-19 reach record levels and the Grand Est region prepares for a possible second lockdown

30,000 cancer cases undetected in France due to Covid-19

Doctors and a leading association fear the second wave of Covid-19 cases will create new delays in cancer treatment

France to extend state of health emergency amid record cases

The vote was passed 71-35 and will now go to the Senate, as the country reports another record number of cases in 24 hours

France curfew: More details on plans to fight ‘second wave’

As 54 departments are set to impose curfews from this weekend, the government’s anti-Covid plans also include €115m for the culture sector

Too many users impact launch of new French Covid app

France’s new contact tracing app was relaunched yesterday (October 22)

France wants to extend state of health emergency to February

The government proposal will be considered this weekend, as €2.4billion is announced to support hospitals in fighting rising Covid cases.

€5m grant given to Lille ‘miracle molecule’ Covid trial

The grant will allow trials to continue on the “miracle drug”, whose name has been “neither confirmed nor denied”.

What are the new Covid rules in France from tomorrow?

Large cities will introduce curfews, and there are new rules that will apply throughout France.

France Covid-19 latest: New cases at record 30,000 threshold

The level of positivity is also up, and pressure is rising in hospitals as intensive care admissions increase

Will a night-time curfew help fight coronavirus in France?

Scientists are divided over the curfew measures that President Macron is expected to announce in his speech tonight

France to increase safety tests on 5G waves

The aim is to reassure the public and local officials before technology is rolled out across country.

Two million extra flu doses ordered in France

A total of 16 million doses have been ordered in France - two million more than previous years, amid ongoing rising cases.

Lego wanted to help make wheelchair ramps in eastern France

The plastic bricks will be used to help make ramps for people who use wheelchairs; it takes 1,600 bricks to make one ramp.

Covid-19 France: Montpellier and Toulouse on ‘max alert’

Local prefectures took the decision after sharp rises in Covid cases and hospitalisations, while politicians call for more social distancing in private spaces.

20,000 volunteer for Covid-19 vaccine trials in France

The volunteer campaign by Inserm has been hailed as a success one week after it launched with trials expected to begin before the end of the year as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise.

Covid-19 France: Fines for wearing plastic face visors

Masks and visors do not offer the same level of protection against Covid-19, health authorities say, and you can be fined in France for wearing a visor instead of a mask.

Insecticide harmful to bees temporarily allowed in France

Neonicotinoids have been approved for three years to be used in growing sugar beet despite having previously been banned, mainly due to evidence that they are toxic for bees

'Fast, cheap, painless': Covid saliva test from French lab

Researchers say a Covid-19 saliva test trialled in France is quicker, cheaper and less painful than other tests, and especially effective at identifying asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers.

Covid-19: Paris on ‘maximum alert’, bars and cafés to close

Paris and the petite couronne are now a Covid-19 maximum alert zone. The government has announced restrictions on restaurants, bars, cafes and universities today (October 5).

France Covid advisors: Hospitals may be overwhelmed in weeks

The Conseil Scientifique has said if the virus continues on its current trajectory, hospitals and care homes will be overwhelmed “within a few weeks”.

Covid-19: Paris bars and restaurants risk closure

In Paris, two out of the three Covid criteria that would raise the alert level to “scarlet” have already been met. The closure of bars and restaurants may follow.

Rising Covid-19 cases put Toulouse hospitals under strain

The CHU Toulouse has initiated a “hospital under strain” plan due to rising Covid-19 hospitalisations, meaning 20% of hospital procedures could be cancelled.

‘Miracle molecule’ effective against Covid found in Lille

A “miracle molecule” that appears to be effective against the virus that causes Covid-19, with almost no side effects, has been discovered at the Institut Pasteur in Lille.

France begins 5G mobile technology frequency roll out

France has today (September 29) opened up billions of euros worth of more 5G frequencies to mobile phone operators, as the country starts rolling out the controversial technology.

Pre-Christmas lockdown not right for France

A proposed generalised lockdown in the first weeks of December to “save Christmas” from Covid-19, is not the right solution the French health minister has said.

France to release five million 30-minute Covid-19 tests

Five million rapid antigen Covid-19 tests that deliver results within minutes are to be made available in France from October.

December lockdown needed in France ‘to save Christmas’

A winter lockdown period in France from December 1-20 would be a “clear solution” to avoid “having to cancel Christmas”, two Nobel Prize winners have suggested.

Anger in Marseille as bars and restaurants ordered to close

Elected officials denounce the “shock” decision to close bars and restaurants in Marseille, saying the health minister failed to consult local politicians or consider existing local measures.

France Covid-19 update: Bans on sharing food and socialising

Latest figures show Covid-19 cases are rising throughout France, new nationwide restrictions expected to be be announced today - and one prefecture bans cheese boards.

15-minute Covid-19 tests to be available in Europe

Healthcare company Roche has announced that it will release rapid antigen tests throughout Europe. Introducing the tests in France could speed up the testing process and reduce long delays to get results.

Hospitals in France initiate ‘plan blanc’ as Covid returns

Hospitals in several regions of France have initiated the “ plan blanc (white plan)” to cope with a "second wave" spike in severe Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions.

France Covid-19 update: Macron urges people to 'hold on'

Latest figures (from Wednesday September 16) show almost 10,000 new daily cases but a stable positivity rate, as the President encourages people to "hold on" for "better days".

Macron: France ‘will adopt 5G’ as a ‘country of innovation’

France “will adopt” 5G and will continue to be a “country of innovation”, French President Emmanuel Macron has said, hitting back at critics of the new technology who would rather an “Amish model”, he said.

France calls for stricter social distancing in 'shock' ad

Doctors in France have called for a ban on social gatherings, as the government releases a “shock” advertisement illustrating the risk of infecting older relatives.

Covid-19: Is France doing too many tests?

Experts have cast doubt on whether the French government’s mass testing strategy is the most effective way to fight Covid-19, as the country completes upwards of one million tests per week.

France Covid-19 Update: Daily cases top 10,000

Cases rise over 10,000 a day France over the weekend, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts a “higher” death toll in Europe in October and November.

Covid worsening in France, notably Bordeaux and Marseille

More than 10,000 new Covid-19 cases were reported in France in the past 24 hours, as health authorities confirm a “definite worsening of the situation”, especially in the south.

Conseil Scientifique calls French quarantine a ‘failure’

The latest advice from the scientific advisory body recommends reducing quarantine to seven days, and suggests the government has "difficult" decisions ahead.

Possible outbreak of dengue fever in Nice

Health authorities in the southern city of Nice are warning of a possible outbreak of native dengue fever spread by tiger mosquitoes after two cases were confirmed. Around a dozen others are suspected.

Why France is encouraging you to have a ‘flu jab this winter

France is encouraging people to get a ‘flu vaccination this winter as an “indirect weapon” against Covid-19, in a bid to avoid overloading the health system by reducing the severity of the usual seasonal ‘flu epidemic.

French supermarket installs Covid-19 disinfection door

The door at an Intermarché supermarket mists shoppers with a disinfectant as they enter. It comes as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in France, and the government considers changing quarantine rules.

Covid-19 France: ‘Red zone’ spreads amid mask disagreements

There are now 28 departments in the Covid-19 “red zone” in France - in which the virus is deemed to be actively circulating - as authorities disagree over mask-wearing rules, and cases continue to increase.

Made-in-France Covid vaccine could cost ‘less than €10’

An estimated 460 million doses of the made-in France vaccine could be distributed in Europe and the US. The World Health Organisation does not expect any Covid-19 vaccine to be ready until mid-2021.