Key Points

Mortality: The number of deaths (all ages and those aged 75 and older) recorded during week 51 of 2016 is trending upward but remains close to expected levels for this period. Nationally, mortality is rising across all age groups, particularly among the elderly.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: Activity among children under 1 year of age and those aged 75 and older was stable in week 52 of 2016 but remains high, above alert thresholds, particularly in connection with winter epidemics (influenza and bronchiolitis).

Virology: Among the 196 samples testing positive for respiratory viruses from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, the majority tested positive for influenza A (14 in Bordeaux and 51 in Poitiers). We also note the detection of 26 rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (10 in Bordeaux and 16 in Poitiers) and 49 respiratory syncytial viruses (17 in Bordeaux and 32 in Poitiers).

Gastroenteritis: activity remains stable for SOS Médecins, with the proportion of consultations below the alert threshold for the second consecutive week. In contrast, activity for GEA in emergency departments continues to rise, with figures above the alert threshold.

Bronchiolitis: high epidemic activity in emergency departments, with a continued increase in visits among children under 2 years of age (17.2% in Week 52 vs. 15.3% in Week 51) and in the rate of hospitalization following emergency department visits (49.7% in Week 52 vs. 43% in Week 51). SOS Médecins activity decreased from 12.4% in Week 51 to 11.4% in Week 52 but remains above the alert thresholds. Activity within the AquiRespi network in the former Aquitaine region also decreased, with 298 cases handled during the on-call shifts on December 30 and 31.RSV circulation remains very active, with 17 and 32 RSV cases detected in Week 52 by the virology laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals, respectively. Nationally, the number of emergency room visits and SOS Médecins consultations is declining. The epidemic peak has been passed in Île-de-France, PACA, Pays-de-la-Loire, and Hauts-de-France.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses: epidemic situation in the NA region, with influenza activity continuing to rise in hospital emergency departments and SOS Médecins, with values above the thresholds. The proportion of hospitalizations following emergency room visits for influenza has increased from 18% in Week 51 to 24% in Week 52 (57% among those aged 65 and older). The number of reported clusters of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in long-term care facilities is significant (16 outbreaks since the start of Week 52). Nationally, the epidemic continues in all regions of mainland France, with numerous hospitalizations of people aged 65 and older following visits to emergency departments.

Notifiable diseases (NDs): no unusual events in the region during Week 52.