Key Points

Surveillance of Gastroenteritis

• Hospital activity related to the treatment of gastroenteritis continues to decline and has returned to the levels observed during the same period in 2016.

• Activity at SOS Médecins clinics related to gastroenteritis is generally declining despite some regular spikes. However, the level remains comparable to that of the winter of 2014–2015.

• According to data from the virology laboratories of the region’s university hospitals, the circulation of enteric viruses is primarily driven by rotavirus.

• Activity related to acute diarrhea remains moderate for the Grand Est region within the Sentinelles network.

• Surveillance in senior care facilities: Four clusters of acute gastroenteritis cases have been reported since the March 30 update, bringing the total to 127 episodes since the start of seasonal surveillance on October 1, 2016.

Influenza Surveillance

• In week 14, influenza activity in emergency departments and SOS Médecins clinics returned to baseline levels.

• The Grand Est region, like the rest of mainland France, is no longer in an epidemic phase.

• Virological data indicate very low circulation of influenza viruses.

• No new severe cases of influenza have been admitted to intensive care since the March 30 update.

• In long-term care facilities, no new clusters of acute respiratory infections have been reported since the update on March 30.

Asthma Surveillance

• In emergency departments and SOS Médecins clinics, asthma-related activity remained stable in week 14, consistent with levels observed during the same period in previous years.

Allergy surveillance

• Since Week 1, allergy-related activity has been increasing in outpatient care.

• According to the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA), the allergy risk associated with birch pollen is high throughout the region

Mortality surveillance

• As of April 11, 2017, the period of excess mortality observed in the Grand Est region since week 49 of 2016 has ended.

Measles outbreak in Moselle

• As of April 11, 67 cases of measles have been reported by the Grand Est Regional Health Agency (ARS). Of these cases, 58 are confirmed (51 through laboratory testing, 7 through epidemiological investigation) and 9 are suspected (based on suggestive clinical signs).