Last week, the seasonal flu epidemic intensified throughout France, while the bronchiolitis epidemic, currently underway in eleven regions, was less intense, the French Public Health Service (SpF) announced on Thursday.
In the week ending December 29, there was a "significant increase" of acute respiratory infections, both in hospitals and outpatient clinics, affecting people of all ages, according to the weekly health bulletin, AFP reported.
People aged 65 and over were the most frequently hospitalized "after a visit to an emergency room", accounting for almost two-thirds of hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections in the last week of 2024.
According to the French Public Health Service, the flu is affecting all regions of France, increasing "in all age groups" and reaches "very high levels in young people under 15".
Abroad, the flu epidemic is raging in Martinique, while Guadeloupe and French Guiana are in the "pre-epidemic" phase.
As for the bronchiolitis epidemic, it continues in eleven regions of France, but its intensity has decreased for the second consecutive week, both in cities and in hospitals. The West Indies, Mayotte and French Guiana are also in the epidemic phase. On the other hand, the bronchiolitis epidemic has reached Corsica and Réunion, which are in the "pre-epidemic" phase, while the Ile-de-France region is emerging from the epidemic.
As for Covid-19, the indicators remain "stable overall at low levels" compared to the previous week. "Vaccination remains the best way to protect against influenza and Covid-19, especially the severe forms of these diseases", reminded the French Public Health Service.
Vaccination is recommended "for all people who meet the conditions, in order to protect themselves and those around them", in particular people over 65 years of age or those with weakened immunity, babies over 6 months of age with concomitant diseases, pregnant women and residents of medical and social institutions of all ages.
It also applies to people who are in regular contact with people with weakened immunity or vulnerable to severe forms of infection, including healthcare professionals.
In addition, the health agency reminds us, it is essential to adopt barrier measures to protect against all winter diseases: washing hands, airing the premises and wearing a mask if you have symptoms such as fever, aches and pains. in the throat or cough, in crowded places and in the presence of vulnerable people.