Key Points

Week 5 of the epidemic – decline begins

• The slight decline in influenza surveillance indicators that began during the first week of January has continued and accelerated during the second week, suggesting that the epidemic has likely passed its peak. However, activity in emergency departments and the hospitalization rate for influenza remain high. The impact remains particularly severe among people aged 65 and older, due to the near-exclusive circulation of the A(H3N2) virus.

• An increase in mortality, regardless of the cause of death, has been observed since week 51. It is estimated at +23% (week 51) and +37% (week 52) across all age groups, and at +24% (week 51) and +37% (week 52) among those aged 65 and older (unconsolidated data).