Key Points

• In Week 26, emergency department visits and hospitalizations following emergency department visits remained stable across all age groups.

• Emergency department activity continues to be affected by the persistent heat wave, with notable increases for several conditions. Visits for dehydration rose across all age groups (+17%, or +95 visits), with a particularly sharp increase among those aged 75 and older (+24%, or +69 visits). Treatments for hyperthermia and heatstroke have increased among children under 2 years of age (+5 visits), while they have decreased among those aged 75 and older (-9 visits) and remain stable at a high level in other age groups. Fainting episodes, although stable among adults, have decreased among children, while remaining at a higher level compared to previous years. Visits for renal colic increased among those aged 15–74 (+9%, or +757 visits).

• Visits for insect bites increased across all age groups (+25%, or +383 visits), while allergies rose among children under 2 years old (+23%, or +38 visits) and among adults (+16%, or +375 visits). Skin and subcutaneous infections are also rising across all age groups (+8%, or +521 visits).

• Digestive complaints continue to rise. Visits for gastroenteritis increased among 2- to 14-year-olds (+12%, or +232 visits) and among adults (+15%, or +231 visits). Vomiting increased among 2- to 14-year-olds (+10%, or +81 visits).

• Viral and respiratory conditions continue to rise, particularly among children. Visits for isolated fever are increasing among those under 15 (+11%, or +479 visits). ENT conditions are on the rise among 2- to 14-year-olds (+12%, or 657 more visits) and among 15- to 74-year-olds (+9%, or 286 more visits). Chickenpox has increased among children under 2 (+6%, or 10 more visits) and among 15- to 74-year-olds (+95%, or 36 more visits). In addition, visits for viral meningitis increased significantly among children under 15 (+71%, or 22 more visits) and among those aged 15–74 (+39%, or 12 more visits).