Headlines

Monitoring of All-Cause Mortality in FranceSince the beginning of 2015, a marked increase in all-cause mortality (INSEE data) has been observed in France. This increase in mortality particularly affects people aged 65 and older and is seen across all regions (Map 1).Since the start of the flu epidemic in week 3 of 2015, winter mortality has been 19% higher than the expected mortality calculated based on the previous 8 years, representing an estimated excess of 8,500 deaths in France. In Burgundy, winter mortality has been 24% higher than the expected mortality calculated based on the previous 8 years since the start of the flu epidemic in week 3. In Franche-Comté, it has been 19% higher than expected mortality over the same period.Following a marked increase in all-cause mortality in France during weeks 5 through 7 of 2015, a slight decline in the number of deaths was observed during week 8 (February 16–22, 2015). These initial assessments should be interpreted with caution, as the episode is not yet over and the data are not yet consolidated due to the usual delays in data transmission. The contribution of influenza to excess mortality is known to be significant among older adults, although it is not possible to specify its exact share in the excess observed this season.