Headlines - The Epidemiological Bulletin Shifts to Winter Mode

As is the case every year, the winter season brings its share of surveillance data regarding respiratory infections—including influenza, bronchiolitis in children under two, gastroenteritis, outbreaks of acute respiratory infections or gastroenteritis in vulnerable communities, and other health impacts related to cold weather. This data, collected from regional partners (SOS Médecins associations, hospital emergency and intensive care units, the Grog and Sentinelles networks, virology laboratories, long-term care facilities, and Regional Health Agencies), allows us to closely monitor the local dynamics of the epidemic. On this occasion, the Epidemiological Update is changing its format, while maintaining the same commitment to providing a concise and easy-to-read summary. Thus, even though the Cire’s analysis is conducted daily, the figures are presented on a weekly basis to facilitate interpretation. Surveillance of influenza and respiratory infections relies on the SurSaUD® surveillance system (SOS Médecins, emergency departments). Figures 1 through 3 may be updated periodically to highlight instances where a statistical alert threshold has been exceeded or to reflect regional variations in trends. A study by the InVS currently in press shows that the best method for detecting an increase in the number of influenza diagnoses from SOS Médecins during an epidemic phase is to define a Serfling alarm threshold based on a weekly aggregated indicator of "percentage of influenza cases among all diagnoses." In addition to these basic figures, a figure on the virological situation and a table describing severe influenza cases admitted to intensive care will be included. The graph showing the number of acute respiratory infections reported in nursing homes for dependent elderly people (EHPAD) will be provided monthly. Surveillance of bronchiolitis relies on SurSaUD® and the number of positive respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) samples reported by the Dijon virology laboratory. Surveillance of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is based on call reasons and gastroenteritis diagnoses from SOS Médecins (Dijon, Sens, and Besançon). The number of AGE episodes in nursing homes reported to the ARS alert reception unit will be monitored monthly during the winter season. A meeting between the InVS and the Grog/Sentinelles networks will allow us to verify whether the number of consultations for gastroenteritis is interpretable at our regional level.