Key Points

• As observed at the national level, the end of the flu season is approaching in Lorraine. All flu indicators are on the decline. In Week 11, the 73 diagnoses of flu or flu-like syndromes accounted for 0.6% of all diagnoses made in the region’s emergency departments. For the same week, the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle recorded 45 diagnoses, representing 4.5% of the total diagnoses.

• There has been a very significant decrease in reports of severe flu cases hospitalized in intensive care (one additional case reported on March 15 and none this week). The total number is 46 cases, including 8 deaths. Only 6 cases remain hospitalized in intensive care. The epidemiological characteristics of these severe cases remain unchanged.

• All-cause mortality appears to be decreasing; these data will be consolidated in the coming weeks.

• Data from the virology department at Nancy University Hospital indicate that primarily type A viruses have been identified. Nationally and in Europe, the majority of subtyped viruses are A(H3N2) viruses.

• A decrease in bronchiolitis activity is observed among children under 2 years of age, according to the monitored indicators.

• An increase in the number of acute gastroenteritis cases has been recorded in emergency departments in Lorraine. However, in week 11, they still accounted for less than 2% of all diagnoses made. According to the SOS Médecin association, the number of acute gastroenteritis cases fluctuates within the ranges typically observed during this period.