Key Points

Surveillance of Gastroenteritis

• Hospital activity related to the treatment of gastroenteritis has been on a downward trend for the second consecutive week and has returned to the levels observed during the same period in 2016.

• Activity reported by SOS Médecins regarding gastroenteritis is generally decreasing despite some regular spikes. However, the current 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 23 update, bringing the total to 123 episodes since the start of seasonal surveillance on October 1, 2016.

Bronchiolitis surveillance

• In week 12, bronchiolitis activity among children under 2 years of age remained stable in emergency departments and among SOS Médecins associations.

• The Grand Est region is no longer under an epidemic alert.

• Virological data from the Nancy and Strasbourg university hospitals indicate that RSV is virtually no longer circulating in the region.

Influenza Surveillance

• In week 12, influenza activity continues to decline in emergency departments and at SOS Médecins clinics.

• 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 update on March 2.

• In long-term care facilities, two new clusters of acute respiratory infections have been reported since the March 16 update.

Mortality Surveillance

• As of March 28, 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 March 28, 2017, 62 cases of measles have been reported by the Grand Est Regional Health Agency (ARS). Of these cases, 55 are confirmed (47 through laboratory testing, 8 through epidemiological investigation) and 7 are suspected (based on suggestive clinical signs).