Key Points

Mortality: Mortality during week 31 (July 31–August 6, 2017) is below the expected level for this period across all age groups. The trend is the same at the national level.

Emergency room visits by vulnerable populations: Emergency room activity among people aged 75 and older and among children under 1 year of age remains close to expected levels, or even below them for this period.

Virology: The number of positive respiratory virus samples from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals remained stable in week 32 (17 positive samples). At the Poitiers and Bordeaux University Hospitals, the majority were rhinovirus/enterovirus (7 and 5 samples, respectively). No samples tested positive at the Limoges University Hospital. At the Bordeaux University Hospital, a high number of enterovirus meningitis cases has been observed over the past 4 weeks (10, 12, 3, and 4 positive samples in the last 4 weeks), as well as 1 positive sample at the Poitiers University Hospital, consistent with data from emergency departments and the national epidemic.

Reportable diseases: no cases of measles have been reported in the region since June 1. The number of reported hepatitis A cases continues to rise in the region (3 new cases reported in August 2017).

Allergies: Allergy activity observed by SOS Médecins associations is on the rise in week 32 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Current pollen levels (grasses, plantains, nettles, and mugworts) pose a very low to low allergy risk in the region.

Chickenpox: Chickenpox activity, according to SOS Médecins data, is below expectations for this time of year.

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – Enhanced Surveillance in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Since May 1, when enhanced surveillance began in the region’s departments colonized by Aedes albopictus (departments: 24, 33, 40, 47, and 64), 42 suspected cases have been reported. Among these, 4 cases of dengue and one imported case of Zika have been confirmed.

Heat-related illnesses: Activity remains at typical levels for this time of year in both surveillance networks (OSCOUR® and SOS Médecins). No heat wave is forecast in Nouvelle-Aquitaine over the next 5 days, according to Météo France.