Key Points

Invasive Meningococcal B Infections – Specific Situation in BrittanySince January 2016, a new strain of group B meningococcus has been circulating in three departments of Brittany (Côtes d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Finistère). To date, eight cases have been identified, five of which were in patients residing in the Côtes d'Armor department. This circulation has already led to a Bexsero® vaccination campaign at a middle school in Côtes d'Armor in early 2017, following the concurrent occurrence of two cases among adolescents attending the school at the end of 2016, in accordance with the recommendations of the High Council for Public Health. Further vaccination campaigns may be implemented depending on the occurrence of any new cases of invasive meningococcal B infection linked to the same clone. The situation is being monitored by a decision-support unit led by the Directorate General of Health, which includes Santé publique France, the National Reference Center for Meningococci, and the Brittany Regional Health Agency.Healthcare providers are urged to remain vigilant regarding the diagnosis of invasive meningococcal infection. It is reminded that all biological specimens must be sent without delay to the National Reference Center (NRC) for Meningococci at the Pasteur Institute for genotyping. The NRC receives specimens 7 days a week.

Gastroenteritis: Epidemic activity. Decrease in visits to community emergency departments (-13%) and hospital emergency departments (-7%). Activity below seasonal averages for community emergency departments.Children under 5 account for 69% of hospitalizations (down), and gastroenteritis accounts for 12% of diagnoses in this age group (down).Low activity in primary care: incidence rate of acute diarrhea estimated at 45 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI [7, 83], unconsolidated Sentinelles data).Viral circulation of rotavirus, astrovirus, and norovirus, identified in enteric specimens analyzed at the Virology Laboratory of the Rennes University Hospital. Viral circulation of rotavirus and norovirus in Brest.

Asthma: Slight increase in visits to community emergency rooms (+7%) and stable visits to hospital emergency rooms.

As the winter season has ended, the Epidemiological Bulletin will be published less frequently (every two weeks). A comprehensive review of the 2016–2017 winter epidemics will be conducted based on consolidated data.