Highlights

• In week 43, bronchiolitis activity was consistent with what is typically observed at this time of year in Lorraine. Physicians in the OSCOUR® network’s emergency departments made 35 diagnoses of bronchiolitis, accounting for 4.4% of cases among children under 2 years of age. For the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle, this activity increased compared to previous weeks but remains within expected ranges, with 6 diagnoses made, accounting for 7.4% of all diagnoses in children under 2 years of age.

• Nationally, the epidemiological situation shows an increase in the number of cases of bronchiolitis presenting at OSCOUR® network emergency facilities and SOS Médecins associations, with comparable numbers and a similar trend to those recorded last year during the same period. Infant bronchiolitis outbreaks generally begin in October, reach an initial peak before the All Saints’ Day holidays, then rise again to reach the epidemic peak in late December before the Christmas holidays.

• In Lorraine, activity in the OSCOUR® network’s emergency departments related to gastroenteritis is slightly higher than what was observed in the two previous years during this time of year. With 122 diagnoses made in week 43, this activity accounted for 1.1% of total diagnoses. For the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle, this activity remains within expected ranges despite a peak occurring in the previous two weeks. Thus, 51 diagnoses of gastroenteritis and diarrhea were made in week 43, representing 6.1% of total diagnoses.

• According to available data, no unusual increase in mortality has been observed in Lorraine over the past few weeks. Since the time lag for reporting death data exceeds 7 days, data for week 43 are currently being consolidated.