Key Points

• In week 12, all national indicators are declining, and the epidemic threshold is expected to be crossed in week 13, thus signaling the end of the epidemic (see the influenza epidemiological bulletin of March 25, 2015).

• According to data from the SOS Médecins associations in Strasbourg and Mulhouse, the epidemic is also nearing its end in the Alsace region. In week 12, these cases accounted for approximately 4.0% of each association’s caseload.

• The impact of the influenza epidemic on the activity of the SOS Médecins Mulhouse association is similar to that observed during the 2012-2013 winter season. However, it was more significant this year than in 2012–2013 for SOS Médecins Strasbourg (a maximum of 26% of activity in 2014–2015 vs. a maximum of 14% in 2012–2013).

• Since Week 8, the number of influenza viruses isolated by the Strasbourg University Hospitals laboratory has been decreasing. In Week 11, 10.4% of respiratory specimens tested positive for influenza. The identified influenza viruses were equally divided between types A and B.

• There has been a decrease in reports of severe influenza cases hospitalized in intensive care (2 cases reported in the past 3 weeks). The total number is 55 cases, including 8 deaths. Only 2 cases remain hospitalized in intensive care.