Key Points

Surveillance Methods

Surveillance of winter illnesses for the 2018–2019 season was modified compared to previous seasons, with sentinel surveillance of severe influenza cases admitted to intensive care, improved subtyping of strains from severe influenza cases through the integration of virology laboratories into the surveillance system, the inclusion of weekly data from the Besançon University Hospital laboratory in virological surveillance to supplement data from the Dijon University Hospital, and the discontinuation of surveillance reports on cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in long-term care facilities.

2018–2019 Influenza Season

• The 2018-2019 influenza epidemic was characterized by significant severity despite its short duration, linked to the co-circulation of the A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses.

• Moderate impact on outpatient care but high in terms of hospitalizations (primarily among those aged 65 and older).

• Excess mortality across all age groups.

• Good reporting practices among long-term care facilities and intensive care units.

• Number of acute respiratory infection (ARI) outbreaks in long-term care facilities higher than the previous season.

• Vaccination coverage among staff in long-term care facilities is insufficient compared to recommendations (data from ARI outbreak surveillance and a study conducted by the Cpias).