Over the past week in the region:

The peak of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis outbreak was reached in the region at the end of the Christmas holidays; the number of cases is now expected to decline rapidly. The flu outbreak continues to spread in the region. This outbreak is primarily caused by an influenza virus of subtype A(H3N2), known to affect mainly the elderly. Thirty cases of severe influenza have already been reported by the region’s intensive care units, three-quarters of which were in people aged 65 and older.Over the past two weeks, there has been a sharp increase in emergency department visits by people aged 75 and older, particularly for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI). These ALRTI-related visits are frequently followed by hospitalization (77% of visits in week 52). The combination of the peak in RSV circulation (typical for this time of year every winter) and the early onset of the flu epidemic is likely responsible for this increase. The same phenomenon has also been noted by SOS Médecins. In the region’s nursing homes, 33 new outbreaks of acute respiratory infections have been reported over the past week, bringing the total number of outbreaks since early September to 77. The importance of implementing preventive measures early during the flu season was reiterated last week to nursing homes.