Key Points

Mortality: Mortality during week 28 (July 10–16, 2017) is comparable to expected levels for this period across all age groups. The trend is the same at the national level.

Emergency room visits by vulnerable populations: Emergency room activity among people aged 75 and older and those under 1 year of age remains close to what is expected for this period.

Virology: The number of positive respiratory virus samples from the laboratories at the Bordeaux and Poitiers University Hospitals remained stable in week 29 (24 positive samples). At the Poitiers and Bordeaux University Hospitals, the majority were rhinovirus/enterovirus (6 and 11 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 4 weeks (9, 12, 8, and 10 positive samples in the last 4 weeks), along with 3 positive samples at the Poitiers University Hospital, consistent with data from emergency departments and the national epidemic.

Reportable Diseases (MDO): No cases of measles have been reported in the region since June 1. The increase in reported cases of hepatitis A continues: 78% of cases are men, and 49% of cases are reported in Gironde. A cluster of cases linked to a common source (a meal at a restaurant) is currently under investigation in that department.

Allergies: Allergy activity reported by SOS Médecins associations is declining again in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The allergy risk associated with grass pollen is now low in the region.

Chickenpox: Chickenpox activity, according to SOS Médecins data, has decreased and is now close to expected levels for this time of year, following a sharp increase observed in week 28.

Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika – Enhanced surveillance in Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Since May 1, the start of enhanced surveillance in the region’s departments colonized by Aedes albopictus (departments 24, 33, 40, 47, and 64), 39 suspected cases have been reported. Among these, 3 cases of dengue and one case of Zika have been confirmed.

Heat-related illnesses (HRI): activity increased in week 29 (July 17–23) with 179 emergency room visits for HRI (0.6%) and 67 SOS Médecins consultations for HRI (0.8% of total activity). This coincides with the heat wave that affected the entire region except for the departments of Creuse, Corrèze, and Haute-Vienne. No heat wave is forecast in Nouvelle-Aquitaine over the next 5 days, according to Météo France.