Key Points

Mortality: The number of deaths (all ages and those aged 75 and older) recorded during week 46 of 2016 is below the expected levels for this period.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: activity below or close to expected levels for this period among those aged 75 and older and those under 1 year of age.

Virology: Among the 54 positive samples for respiratory viruses from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, the majority tested positive for rhinovirus (13 in Bordeaux and 16 in Poitiers). Four influenza A viruses (in Poitiers) and six respiratory syncytial viruses (2 in Bordeaux and 4 in Poitiers) were also detected.

Gastroenteritis: Activity slightly down, still above the epidemic threshold for SOS Médecins consultations (9.4% of total activity). Activity stable, below the alert threshold, for emergency department visits. Same trend at the national level.

Bronchiolitis: pre-epidemic activity with a sharp increase in emergency room visits for bronchiolitis in the region. Emergency room activity related to bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age increased by 50% compared to last week and is close to the epidemic threshold. SOS Médecins calls for bronchiolitis remain stable compared to the previous week. In week 47, 2 and 4 RSV cases were detected by the virology laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals, respectively. Activity in the AquiRespi network has nearly doubled compared to last week, with 112 cases treated during the on-call shifts on November 26 and 27. Nationally, seven regions (in northern and central France, and the PACA region) are experiencing an epidemic.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses: Influenza activity remains low with sporadic cases, as observed nationwide.

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – Enhanced surveillance as of November 23, 2016: since May 1, when enhanced surveillance began in the five departments of the former Aquitaine region colonized by Aedes albopictus, 195 suspected cases have been reported. Among these, 26 cases of dengue, 62 cases of Zika, and 1 dengue/Zika co-infection—all imported—have been confirmed. One case of Zika transmitted sexually has been confirmed. There are no cases of local vector-borne transmission.

Notifiable diseases (NDs): no unusual events in the region during week 47.