Highlights

• Since surveillance began in week 40, activity related to influenza and influenza-like illnesses has remained low. In week 53, physicians in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and the SOS Médecins associations made 11 and 52 diagnoses, respectively, which is stable compared to week 52. Influenza activity is also low in other regions of mainland France.

• One severe case of influenza requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit was reported in week 53.

• Since the update on December 24, a new cluster of acute respiratory infections has been reported in a long-term care facility for the elderly in Alsace. Four such clusters have been reported since September 1, 2015.

• Bronchiolitis activity among children under 2 years of age peaked in week 52 in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and the SOS Médecins association. In week 53, the epidemic is declining in Alsace. A total of 102 and 27 cases of bronchiolitis were diagnosed in emergency departments and by doctors from the SOS Médecins association, respectively. Among the diagnoses made in emergency departments, 40.2% required hospitalization. This condition accounts for 14.9% of emergency department activity among children under two years of age.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the number of respiratory viruses detected has remained stable compared to previous weeks, with the main viruses identified being rhinovirus or enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and metapneumovirus.

• The number of weekly diagnoses of gastroenteritis and diarrhea is stable compared to previous weeks. A total of 133 and 317 diagnoses, respectively, were made in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and by doctors from the SOS Médecins associations. This activity is lower than that observed during the same period in previous years, based on data from the SOS Médecins association.

• Since the update on December 24, a new cluster of acute gastroenteritis cases in a senior care facility has been reported in Alsace, bringing the total number of reports since September 1, 2015, to seven.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the types of enteric viruses circulating in week 52 are primarily rotavirus and norovirus.

• During weeks 52 and 53, three incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning (suspected or confirmed) were reported in the Bas-Rhin department.