Key Points

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine: High Epidemic Activity

The bronchiolitis outbreak, which began early in week 41 (October 11–17, 2021), has been ongoing for 8 weeks in the region. Bronchiolitis activity is intensifying in the region’s emergency departments, with a sharp increase in the proportion of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age.

In week 48 of 2021 (November 29–December 5, 2021)*:

• 407 emergency department visits were recorded, representing 21.1% of activity among children under 2 years of age (compared to 18.6% in week 47), of which 184 were followed by hospitalization, representing 45.2% of bronchiolitis cases;

• The proportion of bronchiolitis cases among hospitalizations for children under 2 continues to rise (42.3% in week 48 compared to 38.3% in week 47); the majority involve children under 1 year of age;

• RSV circulation remains active across the country.

* SOS Médecins data has not been available since Week 47 due to a strike affecting the operations of SOS
Médecins associations.

At the regional level, this increase in hospital indicators is observed in most departments, particularly in Charente-Maritime (22% of emergency room visits and 40% of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis), in Dordogne (30% of emergency room visits and 41% of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis), and in Deux-Sèvres (28% of emergency room visits and 74% of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis).

Nationally: The bronchiolitis epidemic continues in mainland France

The bronchiolitis epidemic continues at a high level in mainland France and has entered the epidemic phase in Réunion and Guadeloupe.