Key Findings

• Since surveillance began in October 2015, activity related to influenza and influenza-like illnesses has remained low. In week 01-2016, physicians in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and SOS Médecins associations made 11 and 49 diagnoses, respectively, which is stable compared to week 53. Influenza activity is also low in other regions of mainland France.

• Following the peak observed in Week 52, activity related to bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age had decreased in Week 53 in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and among the Alsatian SOS Médecins associations. In Week 01, this activity has stabilized in hospitals and still accounts for 15.6% of cases among children under 2 years of age. It is the second most frequently diagnosed condition in this age group. In outpatient settings, a slight increase in bronchiolitis-related activity was observed in Week 01. The epidemic is therefore still ongoing in Alsace.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the number of respiratory viruses detected was on the rise in week 53, with a significant proportion of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated from the samples. As in the previous week, influenza viruses were detected in two respiratory samples.

• In week 01, activity related to gastroenteritis and diarrhea decreased slightly in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network, while it increased for the SOS Médecins associations. These conditions account for 2.5% and 11.7% of overall activity in inpatient and outpatient care, respectively. Gastroenteritis is thus the most frequently diagnosed condition by the SOS Médecins associations in the region.

• According to the HUS virology laboratory, the number of enteric viruses detected in week 53 was stable compared to previous weeks (between 4 and 5). Norovirus, adenovirus, and rotavirus were isolated from stool samples.

• During week 01, one case of carbon monoxide poisoning (suspected or confirmed) was reported.