All regions in mainland France are currently in the epidemic phase

Since the start of the epidemic, 1.6 million people have sought medical care for flu-like symptoms. The flu epidemic began in the second week of December in Brittany and the Île-de-France region and spread across the entire mainland within three weeks. It appears to be stabilizing, or even declining, in several regions. This epidemic, caused by the A(H3N2) virus (99%), is particularly severe among the elderly. However, since the start of the year, weekly numbers of emergency room visits and hospitalizations have been sharply declining among people aged 65 and older. Since the start of the epidemic, the number of outbreaks of acute respiratory infections has been high in senior care facilities, but the weekly number of outbreaks also appears to have been decreasing since the start of the year: 41% of reported outbreaks of acute respiratory infections are attributable to the flu.

Since November 1, 2016, 1,061 severe cases of influenza admitted to intensive care have been reported to Santé publique France.

In the overseas departments, the epidemic is in a declining phase in Martinique and appears to be resurging in Guadeloupe. The epidemic is in an ascending phase in French Guiana.

Excess all-cause mortality among older adults

An increase in all-cause mortality has been observed nationwide since mid-December 2016. This increase affects almost exclusively people aged 65 and older. Since the start of the epidemic, the number of excess deaths from all causes is estimated at 11,400, although the proportion attributable to the flu cannot currently be estimated.

Consultation rates for flu-like illness - Week 4

Santé publique France analyzes data from its network of partners on a weekly basis, at both the national and regional levels.

Simple steps to protect yourself from the flu

Simple hygiene measures (limiting contact, washing hands regularly, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using disposable tissues) help limit the spread of this disease, which spreads very quickly from person to person. However, vaccination remains the best means of prevention to protect against the flu, limit complications, and reduce the risk of hospitalization. It takes 15 days after the injection for the vaccine to provide protection, and those who have not been vaccinated before the outbreak run the risk of becoming infected before they are protected.

Antiviral treatment is recommended for at-risk individuals:

• as a treatment for those showing flu symptoms, preferably within 48 hours of symptom onset;

• or as post-exposure prophylaxis for those without clinical symptoms who have been in contact with a flu case within the past 48 hours.