All regions are in the epidemic phase

The flu epidemic continues throughout the country. All indicators of flu activity are on the rise (visits to primary care physicians, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, etc.), even though the epidemic had already spread to all regions the previous week.This epidemic is primarily caused by the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses. Furthermore, among all at-risk individuals, initial estimates of vaccine efficacy indicate moderate effectiveness against the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus and low effectiveness against the A(H3N2) virus.There has also been a sharp increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for influenza. Of the more than 12,000 patients who presented to emergency rooms with influenza last week, more than 1,800 were hospitalized (+70% compared to the previous week).

Santé publique France analyzes data from its network of partners on a weekly basis, at both the national and regional levels. The epidemiological analysis, together with virological data, contributes to the classification of regions and the mainland into three levels: absence of a flu epidemic, the pre- (or post-) epidemic phase, and the epidemic phase.

Excess mortality across all causes and age groups

Excess mortality across all causes and all age groups was observed during the first four weeks of January. Between weeks 01 and 03 (weeks for which all-cause mortality data are pre-consolidated), this excess is estimated at 8%, or nearly 3,000 deaths, and primarily affects people aged 85 or older, and to a lesser extent those aged 15–64.At the same time, initial estimates of the number of deaths attributable to influenza from the start of surveillance (October 2018) through week 03 indicate that approximately 1,100 deaths are linked to influenza.

Learn more about mortality trends

Steps to protect yourself from the flu

Vaccination is recommended for at-risk individuals and is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and its complications. However, it takes 15 days after vaccination to be fully protected. Therefore, simple measures—applicable to the entire population—should be adopted to reduce the spread of the flu:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

• cough or sneeze into your elbow (rather than into your hands);

• use a disposable tissue;

• wear a disposable mask if you have flu-like symptoms, especially when in contact with vulnerable people (the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant women).

Prevention is essential to reduce the spread of winter viruses, including the seasonal flu virus. These viruses spread easily through coughing, sneezing, droplets, and saliva from infected people; through direct hand-to-hand contact between infected individuals; through contact with objects contaminated by a sick person; and through the air, especially when a sick person is in a closed room (bedroom, waiting room, office, etc.). The flu remains the infectious disease with the greatest impact on healthcare utilization and mortality in France.

To learn more about preventive measures: www.solidarites-sante.gouv.fr