Key Points

Mortality: The number of deaths (all ages and those aged 75 and older) recorded during week 47 of 2016 is below the expected values for this period. Emergency room visits by vulnerable populations: Activity is on the rise among children under 1 year of age, with a value close to the alert threshold. Among those aged 75 and older, activity remains below expected levels for this period.

Virology: Among the 90 samples testing positive for respiratory viruses from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, the majority tested positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus (20 in Bordeaux and 29 in Poitiers). Two influenza A viruses (in Poitiers) and 13 respiratory syncytial viruses (6 in Bordeaux and 7 in Poitiers) were also detected.

Gastroenteritis: activity slightly down, but still above the epidemic threshold for SOS Médecins consultations (9.3% of total activity). Activity is rising, though remains below the alert threshold, for emergency department visits. Nationally, the epidemic is confirmed in primary care, and activity in emergency departments and at SOS Médecins is stable.

Bronchiolitis: pre-epidemic activity with a marked increase in calls to SOS Médecins for bronchiolitis, with figures approaching alert thresholds. RSV circulation is beginning to pick up, with 6 and 7 RSV cases detected in week 48 by the virology laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, respectively. Activity in the AquiRespi network is increasing, with 140 cases treated during the on-call shifts on December 3 and 4. Nationally, nearly all other metropolitan regions are experiencing an epidemic, with the exception of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and Corsica regions.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses: Influenza activity is on the rise, particularly in hospital emergency departments, with levels approaching the threshold. Nationally, influenza activity is increasing, with the majority of influenza viruses detected being type A(H3N2).

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – End of Enhanced Surveillance: From May 1 to November 30, during the period of enhanced surveillance in the five departments of the former Aquitaine region colonized by Aedes albopictus, 195 suspected cases were reported. Among these, 27 cases of dengue, 62 cases of Zika, and 1 dengue/Zika co-infection—all imported—were confirmed. One case of Zika transmitted sexually was confirmed. There are no cases of indigenous vector-borne transmission.

Notifiable diseases (NDs): no unusual events in the region during week 47.