Influenza Surveillance in France, 2023–2024 Season
Introduction – This article presents a summary of the epidemiological and virological data from the influenza epidemic that occurred in France during the 2023–2024 season. Methods – The descriptive analysis focuses on clinical and virological data from the surveillance of acute respiratory infections, including influenza-like illnesses in primary care, data from the surveillance of influenza and influenza-like illnesses in emergency departments, virological data from hospitals, and clinical data on severe influenza cases hospitalized in intensive care units. It also includes reports of acute respiratory infection episodes in long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, as well as mortality data from electronic death certificates. Results – In mainland France, the 2023–2024 influenza season began in late December (Week 51, 2023), peaked in late January–early February, and ended in late February (Week 8, 2024), lasting 10 weeks. Co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses was observed, with a marked predominance of the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. Epidemic activity across all age groups reached a moderate level of intensity in community practice and a high level in hospitals. Conclusion – The 2023–2024 influenza season is the third to occur since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following an exceptionally late 2021-2022 epidemic and a particularly early and prolonged 2022-2023 epidemic, this season’s epidemic returned to the timing and duration typically observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in the two previous seasons, the flu season coincided with the active circulation of other respiratory viruses, notably SARS-CoV-2 and rhinovirus. Given the persistently low influenza vaccination coverage, it is important to emphasize the importance of prevention—namely, vaccination of at-risk individuals supplemented by the adoption of preventive measures to limit the spread of viruses among contacts of cases and reduce the overall impact of winter epidemics on the healthcare system.
Author(s): Campèse Christine
Publishing year: 2024
Pages: 414-427
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2024, n° 19, p. 414-427
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