Key development: Start of the flu epidemic in mainland France

According to criteria defined by the Grog Network, the flu is now epidemic at the national level and in 10 metropolitan regions, but not yet in Midi-Pyrénées. According to the unified Sentinelles/Grog network, the incidence rate is rising and is particularly high in southeastern France, notably in PACA and Languedoc-Roussillon. According to emergency departments participating in the Oscour® network, visits to emergency rooms for influenza are also on the rise. The predominant circulating virus is the A(H3N2) virus. http://www.invs.sante.fr/Dossiers-thematiques/Maladies-infectieuses/Maladies-a-prevention-vaccinale/Grippe/Grippe-generalites/Surveillance DataIt is important to identify the first cases in communities as quickly as possible and to immediately implement standard control measures to stop emerging outbreaks of acute respiratory infections (ARI). Etiological investigation is also necessary, particularly through the use of rapid influenza tests, in order to implement specific control measures.To help facilities identify clusters of cases (respiratory infections, acute gastroenteritis) early and improve the management of infectious outbreaks, surveillance and intervention tools are available on the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Health Agency (ARS) website:http://www.ars.midipyrenees.sante.fr/Risque-infectieux-dans-les-col.103659.0.html