Highlights

• Activity related to influenza and influenza-like illnesses remained low in week 49, both in the region’s emergency departments and among the SOS Médecins associations and the Sentinelles network.

• No severe cases of influenza were reported in Week 49 by intensive care units in Alsace.

• Since early September, three clusters of acute respiratory infections have been reported in elderly care facilities in Alsace (see details on page 4).

• In week 49, a bronchiolitis outbreak took hold in Alsace. The number of bronchiolitis diagnoses among children under two years of age continues to rise in emergency departments and among SOS Médecins associations, with 56 and 32 diagnoses, respectively. This condition thus accounts for 11.6% of emergency department activity in this age group and 10.2% of activity at SOS Médecins clinics. This epidemic situation is also being observed throughout mainland France.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the number of respiratory viruses detected is increasing in week 49. The main viruses identified are: rhinovirus or enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus.

• In week 49, the number of weekly diagnoses of gastroenteritis and diarrhea appears to be stabilizing. A total of 91 and 305 diagnoses were made, respectively, in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network (8 out of 15 departments reported data) and by physicians from the SOS Médecins associations. This activity is comparable to that observed in previous years.

• Since early September, three clusters of acute gastroenteritis cases in elderly care facilities have been reported in Alsace (see details on page 8).

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the types of enteric viruses circulating over the past 4 weeks are primarily rotavirus and norovirus.

• During week 49, no cases of carbon monoxide poisoning (suspected or confirmed) were reported in Alsace.