At a Glance

• The 2015–2016 flu season began in late January 2016 and was relatively long, but of moderate scope and severity. This is partly due to the low virulence of the type B virus. The season lasted from week 4 to week 16 in Occitanie.

• The majority of influenza viruses circulating were of the B/Victoria type, a virus not included in the vaccine and affecting mainly children and young adults.

• In Occitanie, an estimated 158,000 people (2.8% of the population) consulted a general practitioner for influenza or influenza-like illness.

• Intensive care units in the Occitanie region reported 83 severe cases of influenza. A majority of influenza A viruses were identified in severe cases, in contrast to virological data from community settings.

• The impact on the elderly has been relatively limited this season; only 29 clusters of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in long-term care facilities for the elderly (Ehpad) were reported for the Occitanie region.

• All-cause mortality during the 2015–2016 winter remained within the expected range for the season.