Key Points

Mortality: The number of deaths (all ages and those aged 75 and older) has risen for the second consecutive week, approaching the alert threshold. Nationally, mortality is rising across all age groups, particularly among the elderly.

Emergency department visits by vulnerable populations: Activity among children under 1 year of age and those aged 75 and older remains high, above alert thresholds, particularly in connection with winter epidemics (influenza and bronchiolitis). There is a downward trend for children under 1 year of age, while activity remains stable among those aged 75 and older.

Virology: Among the 209 samples testing positive for respiratory viruses from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers university hospitals, the majority tested positive for influenza A (12 in Bordeaux and 40 in Poitiers). We also note the detection of 37 rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (18 in Bordeaux and 19 in Poitiers) and 45 respiratory syncytial viruses (19 in Bordeaux and 26 in Poitiers).

Gastroenteritis: activity remains high based on data from Oscour and SOS Médecins, with figures above the alert threshold.

Bronchiolitis: a decline in epidemic activity; the region has passed the epidemic peak. The number of emergency department visits is decreasing, with 14.5% of visits involving children under 2 years of age in S01 compared to 17.2% in S52. However, the rate of hospitalization for bronchiolitis remains very high, with 53.7% of cases hospitalized after an emergency room visit. The number of SOS Médecins consultations and the number of cases managed by AquiRespi have been declining for the past two weeks. RSV circulation remains active, with 19 and 26 RSV cases detected in S1-2017 by the virology laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals, respectively. Nationally, a significant decline in emergency department visits and SOS Médecins consultations has been observed, and the epidemic peak has been passed in most regions.

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses: epidemic situation in the NA region, with stable influenza activity in hospital emergency departments and continued increases for SOS Médecins, with values above the thresholds. The proportion of hospitalizations following emergency room visits for influenza has decreased from 25.5% in Week 52 to 23.5% in Week 1 of 2017 (55% among those aged 65 and older). The number of reported clusters of influenza in long-term care facilities has risen sharply (+78%, or 39 more outbreaks since the start of week 01-2017). Nationally, the epidemic continues in all regions of mainland France, with numerous hospitalizations of people aged 65 and older following visits to the emergency room and an increase in all-cause mortality.

Notifiable Diseases (ND): no unusual events in the region during week 52.