Highlights

• Since surveillance began in week 40, activity related to influenza and influenza-like illnesses has remained low in the region’s emergency departments, among SOS Médecins associations, and within the Sentinelles network. In week 51, physicians in emergency departments and SOS Médecins associations made 4 and 40 diagnoses, respectively. Influenza activity is also low in other regions of mainland France.

• A single case of severe influenza was reported by the region’s intensive care units in week 51.

• Since the update on December 10, no new clusters of acute respiratory infections have been reported in elderly care facilities in Alsace.

• In week 51, the bronchiolitis outbreak among children under two years of age continues in Alsace. A total of 81 and 40 diagnoses of bronchiolitis were made in emergency departments and by doctors from the SOS Médecins associations, respectively. Among the diagnoses made in emergency departments, 39.5% required hospitalization. This condition accounts for 15.5% of emergency department activity among children under two years of age, an increase compared to Week 50. This increase is not observed at the national level, where the trend is toward a slowdown in activity.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the number of respiratory viruses detected increased slightly in week 51. The main viruses identified were rhinovirus or enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

• In week 51, the number of weekly diagnoses of gastroenteritis and diarrhea decreased compared to previous weeks. A total of 93 and 260 diagnoses were made, respectively, in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and by physicians from the SOS Médecins associations. This activity is lower than that observed during the same period in previous years.

• Since the December 10 update, three new clusters of acute gastroenteritis cases in elderly care facilities have been reported in Alsace, bringing the total number of reports since September 1, 2015, to six.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the circulating enteric viruses are primarily rotavirus and norovirus.

• During week 51, three cases of carbon monoxide poisoning (suspected or confirmed) were reported in Alsace.