Headlines - End of Influenza Surveillance for the 2013–2014 Season – Preliminary Report

The 2013-2014 season in France was characterized by a mild, short-lived influenza epidemic, dominated by equal circulation of the A(H1N1) pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses in the community, with no particular severity. In Limousin, the epidemic began in weeks 03 and 04 of 2014 with an increase in surveillance indicators (hospital emergency departments and SOS Médecins Limoges). The peak was reached in week 07 of 2014 at SOS Médecins Limoges with 119 consultations and in week 08 of 2014 in the emergency department with 30 visits, including 5 hospitalizations. The levels reached were significantly lower than in the previous 2012–2013 season. A decline in all indicators was observed in week 12 of 2014. Since the start of surveillance, two outbreaks of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in long-term care facilities for the elderly have been reported. Median attack rates were 40% among residents and 17% among staff. Four residents were hospitalized, and none died. Among the facilities that responded, median influenza vaccination coverage was 97.5% among residents and 30% among staff. During the winter of 2013–2014, surveillance of severe cases conducted by the InVS in the Limousin region, in collaboration with intensive care units, identified 5 severe cases. All were adults, including one over the age of 65. Four of the five severe cases had a risk factor for complications corresponding to a vaccination indication, including one pregnant woman. None of the severe cases had been vaccinated. Two deaths occurred. The A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was identified in 4 severe cases, and an unclassified A virus was identified in the fifth case. The number of severe cases reported this winter is lower than that of the previous flu season (9 cases).