News

Hospital Activity Update

After several weeks of strain on healthcare facilities in coastal departments, the situation appears to be returning to the levels typically seen at this time of year. A more detailed update has been provided by the ARS Health Monitoring, Alert, and Management Unit (CVAGS) on page 2.

Monitoring of seasonal illnesses

• Flu: Flu activity has decreased for the first week, with an estimated incidence rate of 435 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in week 2012-09, compared to 985 in week 8, the week of the epidemic peak (consolidated estimates). All analyzed data sources indicate that the epidemic peak was reached in week 2012-08. Since the start of the epidemic, 12 severe cases of influenza and 49 outbreaks of acute respiratory infections in long-term care facilities for the elderly have been reported in Languedoc-Roussillon (150 severe cases and more than 500 ARI outbreaks in France).

• Gastroenteritis: The incidence rate estimated by the Sentinelles network for Languedoc-Roussillon is 372 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI [149–594]), indicating that the epidemic is not yet fully over in our region.

• Bronchiolitis: the epidemic continues to subside

Measles surveillance

As at the national level, a slight resurgence in the number of reported cases is observed in Languedoc-Roussillon during weeks 2012-06 to 2012-09.

Monitoring of all-cause mortality

Since early February, all-cause mortality data at the national level have shown an increase, particularly among people aged 85 and older. A similar increase is observed in the Gard department during weeks 2012-06 to 2012-09. It appears to affect people aged 75 and older in particular (an assessment will be conducted once the winter epidemics have subsided and the data has been consolidated). This increase is likely linked to the flu epidemic but could also reflect the cold snap in early February.