Key Points

Asthma and Nasopharyngitis

• A marked increase in healthcare utilization (SOS Médecins and emergency departments) for asthma attacks and nasopharyngitis among children under 15 years of age was observed in week 37 in the region, followed by overall stability. This increase in activity is frequently observed during this period and is likely linked to the circulation of rhinovirus. In week 40, SOS Médecins visits for nasopharyngitis and emergency room visits for asthma attacks began to decline.

Bronchiolitis

• Pre-epidemic phase of bronchiolitis among children under 2 years of age in the region since week 39 (see map for week 40)

• After 3 weeks of increase, rates of healthcare utilization (emergency department visits and SOS Médecins calls) for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age were generally stable in Week 40, at a moderate level. A few cases of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) have been reported by the virology laboratories at the Nantes and Angers university hospitals over the past two weeks, alongside active circulation of rhinovirus.

Covid-19

• Healthcare utilization (SOS Médecins calls and emergency department visits) for suspected Covid-19 in the Pays de la Loire region, as well as the incidence rate, tended to stabilize in week 40. The positivity rate remained stable at a relatively high level, in line with changes in testing practices and the reporting of test results (as a reminder, since July 1, only cases confirmed by PCR have been reported).

Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika

• Since May 1, 2023, the start of the enhanced arbovirus surveillance season, 68 imported cases of dengue (probable or confirmed cases) have been reported in the Pays de la Loire region.

Influenza

• The Pays de la Loire region was not in an influenza epidemic phase during week 40, like the other regions of mainland France (see map for week 40).