Bronchiolitis

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

Our Mission

  • Monitor the epidemiological trends of bronchiolitis each year

  • Inform parents about bronchiolitis prevention measures

  • Inform healthcare professionals about the bronchiolitis outbreak weekly during the high-risk period

The disease

Bronchiolitis is a respiratory illness primarily caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. Every winter, it affects nearly 30% of infants under the age of 2.

Bronchiolitis, a disease affecting children under 2 years of age

Acute bronchiolitis is an epidemic respiratory illness caused primarily by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It mainly affects children under the age of 2. In the vast majority of cases, bronchiolitis is mild and resolves...

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What We Do

Bronchiolitis poses a significant public health challenge. A surveillance program and a prevention policy have been implemented to limit the spread of the disease.

Bronchiolitis is highly contagious and affects many infants under the age of 2 every winter. Although the risk of hospitalization and death remains low, this infection poses a significant public health challenge.
In response, Santé publique France has operated a surveillance program in France...

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Data

View data on the epidemiological situation regarding bronchiolitis in France and by region on Santé publique France.

The bronchiolitis surveillance system established by Santé publique France makes it possible to study the epidemiological trends of this viral disease each year throughout France and at the regional level.

For the 2025–2026 season, the agency is implementing an “integrated” surveillance system...

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Tools

Here you will find the resources (videos, TV spots, radio spots) and prevention materials made available to healthcare professionals and the general public.

Publications

Here you will find the latest scientific publications related to the studies and research conducted by Santé publique France.

2 publications

note d'aide à la décision

Decision-Support Note. Assessment of the epidemiological situation regarding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) among infants under 2 years of age in French Guiana, with a view to potential changes in the regional strategy for immunizing newborns and vaccinating pregnant women against this virus

note d'aide à la décision

Start date of the next immunization campaign for newborns against RSV bronchiolitis for the 2025–2026 season (mainland France and overseas departments and regions). The agency’s interpretation and recommendation