Key Developments as of February 20, 2012

• According to information available to date, 763 cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning have been reported to the surveillance system since September 1, 2011, including 93 cases between February 6 and 19, 2012. Since September 1, 2011, 2,470 people have been exposed to CO fumes, 425 of whom were hospitalized.

• Between January 28 and February 12, 2012, a cold snap swept across France. According to information currently available from the surveillance system, supplemented by data from the daily civil protection bulletin, 139 reports of CO poisoning were recorded. Sources of poisoning such as generators, outdoor heaters/barbecues, and portable space heaters account for part of this increase.

• Given the increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during periods of cold weather or snow and ice, we are reiterating the specific prevention messages developed by INPES, Météo-France, and the DGS: - Never use combustion-based space heaters continuously; - Never use stoves, braziers, etc., for heating;- If you must use a generator, it must be placed outside the building,