Key Points

Continued circulation of influenza viruses accompanied by an increase in epidemiological indicators

Week 13-2022 (March 28–April 3, 2022):

• SOS-Médecins: The proportion of influenza-like illnesses among SOS-Médecins consultations continued to rise in Week 13 despite a slight flattening of the epidemic curve. In total, 2,371 consultations for influenza-like illness were recorded in Week 13, representing 20.6% of total activity (compared to 19.5% in Week 12). Analysis by age shows high rates of consultations for influenza-like illness among those under 45 years of age.

• Oscour®: The number of visits for influenza or influenza-like illness is up compared to the previous week (719 in Week 13 vs. 629 in Week 12, a 14% increase), as is the number of hospitalizations following a visit (126 in Week 13 vs. 82 in Week 12, a 54% increase).

• Virology data:

  • Influenza A: 38 positive samples at Bordeaux University Hospital, 74 at Limoges University Hospital, and 123 at Poitiers University Hospital, for a regional positivity rate of 24% (vs. 21% in Week 12)

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

• Severe influenza cases: 8 new patients admitted to intensive care were reported in week 13 (including 6 for influenza A and 2 unspecified), for a total of 21 since the start of surveillance in week 40 of 2021.

• Clustered cases of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in long-term care facilities: four episodes reported in week 13, three of which were attributed to influenza A (influenza etiology not identified for the last episode).

• Mortality from electronic certification: 32 (0.20%) 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 13, 6 new influenza-related deaths were recorded.