Key Points

The bronchiolitis outbreak, which began early in week 41 (October 11–17, 2021), has been ongoing for 9 weeks in the region. A slight decrease in bronchiolitis activity has been observed in the region’s emergency departments, with a decline in hospitalizations for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age. However, activity levels remain high.

In week 49 of 2021 (December 6–12, 2021)*:

• 352 emergency department visits were recorded, representing 19.7% of activity among children under 2 years of age (compared to 21.1% in Week 48), of which 137 were followed by hospitalization, representing 38.9% of bronchiolitis cases;

• The proportion of bronchiolitis cases among hospitalizations for children under 2 years of age has decreased compared to the previous week but remains high (38.6% in week 49 versus 42.2% in week 48); 93% involved children under 1 year of age;

• 72 SOS Médecins* consultations were recorded, representing 8.9% of cases involving children under 2 years of age—a high level;

• RSV circulation remains very active across the country.

*SOS Médecins data not consolidated in Week 49 following the resumption of data transmission after a strike that impacted the operations of SOS Médecins associations between Weeks 47 and 48.