Key Points

Mortality: According to mortality data provided by INSEE, the observed number of deaths from all causes during Week 16 (April 17–23, 2017) remains below the expected level for this period for the fifth consecutive week, across all age groups and particularly among people aged 65 and older.

Emergency room visits by vulnerable populations: following the increase observed the previous week, emergency room activity among people aged 75 and older is declining, though figures remain above expected levels for this period. Activity is close to expected levels for children under 1 year of age.

Virology: The number of positive respiratory virus samples from the laboratories at the Bordeaux, Limoges, and Poitiers University Hospitals is down in week 18 (46 positive samples). At the Poitiers University Hospital, of the 31 positive samples, the majority were rhinovirus/enterovirus (7 samples) and parainfluenza (3 samples). At the Bordeaux University Hospital, of the 15 positive samples, the majority were rhinovirus (7 samples) and parainfluenza (3 samples). At the Limoges University Hospital, no samples were positive

Gastroenteritis: activity remains stable according to SOS Médecins and Oscour® data, with values close to expected levels, below the alert thresholds for both data sources.

Reportable Diseases (MDO):

Significant resurgence in measles reports since January 2017, confirming that the virus is actively circulating in several departments in the region, with 35 cases reported to date (depts. 87, 86, 33, 47, 24, 16). Twenty of these cases were reported in the Haute-Vienne department (87), with several cases among hospital staff (hospitals in Limoges and Saint-Junien).

Allergies: The decline in allergy activity observed by SOS Médecins associations in Week 17 continues into Week 18. Grass pollens are ready to bloom, and the allergy risk will be moderate to high if the weather is sunny. The presence of oak pollen in the region poses a low risk.

Chickenpox: According to SOS Médecins data, chickenpox activity is slightly down, with rates below seasonal expectations; however, an increase is observed in the Charente-Maritime department. Activity is down nationwide according to SOS Médecins.

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – Enhanced surveillance in Aquitaine: Since May 1, when enhanced surveillance began in the region’s departments infested with Aedes albopictus, 8 suspected cases have been reported. None of these have been confirmed.