Key Points

Mortality: Mortality during week 27 (July 3–9, 2017) is comparable to expected levels for this period across all age groups. The trend is the same at the national level.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: Emergency department activity among people aged 75 and older remains close to what is expected for this period; among children under 1 year of age, a slight increase in hospital emergency department visits was observed in week 28.

Virology: The number of positive respiratory virus samples from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals decreased in week 28 (21 positive samples). At the Poitiers and Bordeaux University Hospitals, the majority were rhinovirus/enterovirus (8 and 6 samples, respectively). No samples were positive at the Limoges University Hospital. At the Bordeaux University Hospital, a high number of enterovirus meningitis cases has been observed over the past 3 weeks (9, 12, and 8 positive samples in the last 3 weeks), consistent with data from emergency departments and the national epidemic.

Notifiable Diseases (ND): No cases of measles have been reported in the region since June 1. The hepatitis A outbreak among MSM in the region continues.

Allergies: Allergy activity observed by SOS Médecins associations remains stable in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The risk of grass pollen allergies persists in the region, with a moderate to low risk.

Chickenpox: Chickenpox activity, according to SOS Médecins data, increased sharply in week 28, exceeding the alert threshold.

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – Enhanced surveillance in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Since May 1, when enhanced surveillance began in the region’s departments colonized by Aedes albopictus (departments 24, 33, 40, 47, and 64), 35 suspected cases have been reported. Among these, 2 cases of dengue and one case of Zika have been confirmed.

Heat-related illnesses (HRI): Activity remains at typical levels for this time of year in both networks (Oscour and SOS Médecins), in line with the drop in temperatures during week 28 of 2017. Note a heat wave in week 29 of 2017 across the entire region except for the departments of Creuse, Corrèze, and Haute-Vienne (see next PE). No heat wave is expected in Nouvelle-Aquitaine over the next 5 days according to Météo France.