What We Do
Every winter, acute viral gastroenteritis accounts for 1.4 to 4.0 million visits to primary care physicians. During the first two weeks of January, the incidence of visits for this reason is estimated at between 200 and 600 visits per 100,000 people per week. Santé publique France monitors, using a system that incorporates multiple data sources, the epidemiological trends of winter viral acute gastroenteritis and acute gastroenteritis associated with foodborne outbreaks in France. Santé publique France communicates information on preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection.
Surveillance of Acute Viral Gastroenteritis
To ensure the surveillance of acute viral gastroenteritis, Santé publique France relies on several complementary systems: the Sentinelles Network, Santé publique France’s syndromic surveillance system - SurSaUD® - which includes data from hospital emergency departments, SOS Médecins, and mortality records (CépiDC), the National Reference Center (CNR) for gastroenteritis viruses, and the mandatory reporting (DO) of foodborne outbreaks.
The Sentinelles Network has been in existence since 1984. It consists of volunteer general practitioners located throughout mainland France. It is coordinated by the joint research unit UMR-S-1136 of Inserm and Sorbonne University, in collaboration with Santé publique France. The Sentinelles Network continuously collects data on 10 health indicators (9 infectious diseases, including acute diarrhea) and one non-infectious indicator. Sentinel general practitioners report weekly on the number of diagnoses for the various conditions studied. This information allows for the estimation of regional and national incidence rates. Weekly feedback and a historical database are available on the Sentinelles Network website.
The syndromic surveillance system of Santé publique France (SurSaUD®): since 2003, Santé publique France has developed a health surveillance system known as syndromic surveillance. The system centralizes, on a daily basis, the information automatically sent to Santé publique France by:
Just over 600 emergency departments participating in the Coordinated Emergency Surveillance Network (OSCOUR®);
60 SOS Médecins associations (data on urban emergency medicine);
3,000 municipalities, for mortality data, via the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE).
The SurSaUD® system thus covers 86% of emergency department activity in France, 90% of SOS Médecins activity, and 80% of daily deaths, respectively.
To learn more about the surveillance system:SurSaUD®
The National Reference Center (CNR) for Gastroenteritis Viruses in Dijon complements these surveillance systems. Established in 2002, it supports hospital and private laboratories in identifying these pathogens during outbreaks or cases of collective foodborne illness where a viral cause is suspected. The NRC characterizes identified enteric virus strains (norovirus, rotavirus, etc.)
The mandatory reporting of collective foodborne illnesses (TIAC) enables the monitoring of clusters of foodborne gastroenteritis cases. This system also helps identify their characteristics and the foods implicated in these collective infections. A collective foodborne illness outbreak must be reported to the Regional Health Agency (ARS) or the Departmental Directorate for Population Protection (DDPP) by physicians, laboratory scientists, and managers of institutional or social-service food service establishments. The report may also be filed by consumers or other individuals aware of an incident that may constitute a collective foodborne illness outbreak. An investigation, conducted by the ARS and the DDPP in collaboration—depending on the context—with Santé publique France’s regional office, is initiated following the reporting of a foodborne illness outbreak. This investigation aims to identify the responsible foods and contributing factors in order to implement specific measures to prevent recurrence. Santé publique France, the final recipient of mandatory foodborne illness outbreak reports, compiles an annual summary.
Preventing Acute Gastroenteritis and Its Consequences
Santé publique France informs the general public about preventive measures to adopt in daily life, as well as measures to prevent the main complication of acute gastroenteritis: dehydration, which can be particularly severe in infants and the elderly.
Prevention of acute gastroenteritis is based on:
Preventive measures to limit the risk of viral transmission. One of the most important is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water (preferably liquid) for 30 seconds, scrubbing your nails, fingertips, palms, the backs of your hands, wrists, and between your fingers. It is strongly recommended to do this as often as possible. See also the “The Disease” tab.
Rotavirus vaccination for infants. Created by Santé publique France, the vaccination information website vaccination-info-service.fr provides reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject and includes a section dedicated to vaccinations for infants and children.
For more information:
In relation to
Winter viruses
thematic dossier
Every year, winter viruses cause outbreaks of the flu, gastroenteritis, and bronchiolitis. Simple preventive measures can reduce the risk of infection.
Outbreaks of foodborne illness
thematic dossier
A foodborne illness outbreak is defined as the occurrence of at least two cases with similar symptoms—typically gastrointestinal—that can be traced to a single food source. In France, such...
