Key Points

COVID-19

In the Pays de la Loire region, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 increased sharply in S03, linked to the spread of the Omicron variant, which became predominant both regionally and nationally. A significant impact is observed on the healthcare system, which is under strain, as well as in long-term care facilities.

Bronchiolitis

End of the bronchiolitis epidemic among children under 2 years of age. The bronchiolitis epidemic ended in the Pays de la Loire region in Week 03, following a transition to the post-epidemic phase the previous week. It lasted a total of 13 weeks (Week 41, 2021 to Week 01, 2022). Indicators of healthcare utilization for bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age (emergency department visits and SOS Médecins calls) have seen a marked decrease since Week 01. They are tending to stabilize at levels comparable to those observed during the pre-epidemic phase. A gradual decrease in RSV isolations by the Nantes and Angers university hospitals is confirmed.

Influenza and influenza-like illness

The Pays de la Loire region has been in the pre-epidemic phase for influenza since Week 51 of 2021. Emergency department visits for influenza-like illness and SOS Médecins calls remain at moderate and relatively stable levels, with no marked increase recorded. A gradual increase in influenza A isolates is reported by the Nantes and Angers university hospitals. The number of clusters of acute respiratory infections (other than COVID-19) in the region’s healthcare facilities, including nursing homes, remains low, as does the number of severe flu cases admitted to intensive care and reported through regional surveillance.

Acute gastroenteritis

A marked increase in emergency department visits for acute gastroenteritis among children under 5 years of age in S03.