Key Points

Mortality: According to mortality data provided by INSEE, the observed number of deaths from all causes during week 21 (May 22–28, 2017) remains close to the expected number for this period. The trend is the same at the national level.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: Emergency department activity among people aged 75 and older and those under 1 year of age remains close to what is expected for this period.

Virology: The number of positive respiratory virus samples from the laboratories at the University Hospitals of Bordeaux, Limoges, and Poitiers decreased slightly in week 22 (24 positive samples). At the Poitiers University Hospital, of the 21 positive samples, the majority were for rhinovirus/enterovirus (15 samples). At the Bordeaux University Hospital, a technical issue prevented the analysis of rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, and bocaviruses, and only 3 positive samples were recorded.

Gastroenteritis: Activity is declining, below expected levels for this time of year according to SOS Médecins and Oscour® data.

Reportable Diseases (MDO): Continued circulation of the measles virus in the region despite a decline in measles reports over the past two weeks. Continued increase in hepatitis A reports in May across five departments in the region, with nearly half of these cases occurring in Gironde since the beginning of 2017. Epidemic strains of the hepatitis A virus circulating among MSM in other regions have been detected in cases in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Allergies: Allergy activity reported by SOS Médecins associations has been rising in Nouvelle-Aquitaine for the past two weeks. Nationally, allergy activity remained stable in week 22. Across the region, the risk of grass pollen allergies is very high in all departments.

Chickenpox: Chickenpox activity, according to SOS Médecins data, is down compared to the previous week, with a rate close to seasonal expectations. Nationally, activity ranges from high to moderate, according to the sentinel network.

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, 18 suspected cases have been reported. Among them, 1 case of dengue has been confirmed.

Heat-related illnesses

An increase in heat-related illnesses was observed in week 22 of 2017, with 1.3% of total activity at SOS Médecins clinics related to heat, similar to what was observed during the heat wave the previous year.