Flu Outbreak Confirmed in Metropolitan France

In week 06 of 2014 (February 3–9), the incidence rate of consultations for influenza-like illness based on data from the Unified Network (combined data from the Grog and Sentinelles networks) was 375 per 100,000, an increase compared to the previous week. The incidence rate estimated by the Sentinelles network exceeded the epidemic threshold for the second consecutive week in week 06, thus confirming the start of the flu epidemic in mainland France. The number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for flu/flu-like illness has been increasing since week 02-2014. Children under 15 accounted for 54% of emergency room visits, and those under 5 and over 65 accounted for 52% of hospitalizations following emergency room visits for influenza. In long-term care facilities for the elderly, 23 new outbreaks of acute respiratory infections (ARI) were reported to the InVS, bringing the total to 166 outbreaks since October 1, 2013. Among the 35 closed outbreaks for which an etiological investigation was reported, 12 were confirmed as influenza, including 6 caused by type A virus and 1 by type B virus. The weekly number of reports has remained stable since week 01-2014. Average incidence rates are down compared to last year, and average influenza vaccination coverage remains stable compared to last year. Regarding the surveillance of severe influenza cases admitted to intensive care, their weekly number has been rising again since week 04-2014. The majority of patients were adults with risk factors, unvaccinated, and infected with an influenza A virus. Among them, 13 cases died. Since October 1, 2013, data from the hospital laboratory network (Renal) and the GROGs reveal that the influenza A virus is predominant (98%) in the samples analyzed.