Key Points

BronchiolitisEpidemic phase. Another increase in visits to hospital emergency departments, accounting for 13.6% of visits with a coded diagnosis among children under 2 years of age (the third most common condition). The number of cases exceeds seasonal averages. The epidemic is taking hold in the region. Increase in the proportion of RSV-positive samples at the Virology Laboratory of the Rennes University Hospital (positivity rate = 15% (10/65)).

Asthma: Very sharp increase in emergency department visits for asthma among children under 5 years of age (+141%, or +68 visits). The level reached is higher than seasonal averages. This coincides with continued high viral circulation of rhinoviruses and enteroviruses identified in respiratory specimens analyzed at the Virology Laboratory of the Brest University Hospital.

ENT ConditionsIncreased demand for ENT care, particularly among children under 15 (SOS Médecins associations and emergency departments). Activity related to ENT conditions is expected to intensify with the onset of the bronchiolitis epidemic.

Influenza and influenza-like illness: Low activity. Sporadic detection of influenza A virus in respiratory specimens analyzed at the Virology Laboratory of the Brest University Hospital since mid-October.

Reportable DiseasesA summary of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease among residents of the Brittany region in 2016 is provided on page 7.