Acute Respiratory Infections (Flu, Bronchiolitis, COVID-19) in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Summary of the 2025–2026 season.

Key Points

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI)

  • The proportion of activity related to acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in hospital emergency departments was 4%, the lowest level in the past three seasons.
  • In primary care, the intensity of the outbreak was lower than in the two previous seasons.
  • In the region’s long-term care facilities, nearly half of the ARI cases were due to the flu and one-third to COVID-19.

Influenza

  • The epidemic, driven exclusively by type A viruses, lasted 10 weeks in the region. An epidemic peak was observed in week 52 of 2025, affecting all age groups.
  • The number and proportion of influenza-related hospitalizations were lower than those of the 2024–25 season but higher than those of the 2023–24 season.
  • The proportion of hospitalizations for this reason at the peak was higher than in the two previous seasons.
  • In community-based care, the flu outbreak was the mildest of the past three seasons.
  • Influenza vaccination coverage among people aged 65 and older (59%) was up from the previous season but remains well below the recommended target of 75%.

Bronchiolitis

  • The bronchiolitis epidemic lasted 6 weeks, peaking in week 50 of 2025.
  • Activity in hospital emergency departments and at SOS Médecins was lower during this season than during the previous two.
  • The vast majority of severe bronchiolitis cases admitted to the ICU were under 1 year of age, and half of them had received treatment with Beyfortus®.

COVID-19

  • Covid-19-related activity in hospital emergency departments and at SOS Médecins remained low and stable during the winter season, with indicators lower than during the two previous seasons.
  • Vaccination coverage was 67% among residents in long-term care facilities and 3% among staff working in these facilities.

In relation to

grippe

Flu

thematic dossier

The flu is a contagious viral respiratory infection that causes seasonal outbreaks every winter. The flu vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself.

Bronchiolitis

thematic dossier

Acute bronchiolitis is a viral respiratory illness that primarily affects children under the age of 2 during seasonal winter outbreaks.

COVID-19

thematic dossier

COVID-19 is a contagious viral infection. By practicing preventive measures and getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself from infection and its complications while limiting the spread of the...

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