Key Points

Continued circulation of influenza viruses, accompanied by an increase in morbidity and mortality indicators

Week 14-2022 (April 4–10, 2022):

• SOS-Médecins: The increase in flu-like illness activity among SOS-Médecins associations in Nouvelle-Aquitaine continued in Week 14. A total of 2,617 consultations for flu-like illness were recorded in Week 14, representing 22.6% of total activity (compared to 20.6% in Week 13). Analysis of trends by age shows high rates of consultations for flu-like symptoms among those under 45.

• Oscour®: The number of visits for influenza or influenza-like illness continues to rise, with 833 new cases in week 14 (vs. 726 in week 13, a 15% increase). The number of hospitalizations following visits for influenza or influenza-like illness remained stable in week 14 (130 vs. 129 in week 13).

• Virology data:

  • Influenza A: 28 positive samples at Bordeaux University Hospital, 62 at Limoges University Hospital, and 117 at Poitiers University Hospital, for a regional positivity rate of 24% (stable compared to Week 13-2022)

  • Influenza B: no positive samples at the Bordeaux, Limoges, and Poitiers University Hospitals

• Severe influenza cases: 5 new patients admitted to intensive care were reported in week 14 (including 4 for influenza A and 1 unspecified), for a total of 26 since the start of surveillance in week 40 of 2021.

• Clustered cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in long-term care facilities: three episodes reported in week 14, one attributed to influenza A (influenza etiology unidentified for the other two episodes).

• Mortality from electronic certification: 39 (0.24%) deaths have been reported with influenza listed as the underlying condition that directly caused or contributed to the death since week 40 of 2021. In week 14, 7 new influenza-related deaths were recorded.