Key Findings

Gastroenteritis: Sharp Increase in Healthcare Seekers During the First Week of the Christmas Break

The first week of the Christmas holidays is marked by a very sharp increase in visits to primary care and hospital settings related to acute gastroenteritis (AG). For now, this increase primarily affects those aged 15 and older and is observed throughout the region, as well as more broadly across France. Such high levels have not been seen in several years.

Winter AGE cases are primarily viral in origin, with noroviruses circulating predominantly among people of all ages, and rotaviruses primarily among children under 5 years of age.

After an incubation period of 24 to 72 hours, they manifest as diarrhea and/or vomiting (with or without nausea), abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. They are generally short-lived, lasting a few days. Acute dehydration is the main complication, most commonly seen in young children and the elderly.

Transmission occurs primarily from person to person via the hands, the environment, or food contaminated during handling by a person carrying the virus. Group settings are particularly at risk of outbreaks due to person-to-person transmission (nursing homes, hospitals, vacation centers, etc.).

Prevention and control measures for these infections are primarily based on strict hand hygiene practices. Thorough and frequent handwashing with soap is necessary, and must be done systematically before preparing meals and after using the restroom. In institutional settings, keeping sick staff (kitchen staff, caregivers, etc.) away also reduces the risk of outbreaks via food. Since these viruses are highly resistant in the environment and present on surfaces, these surfaces must be cleaned thoroughly and regularly.