influenza continues to progress in France, while bronchiolitis declines

It’s the unwanted gift of the winter season. The seasonal flu epidemic has continued to progress in recent days in France, particularly reaching the Paris region, Public Health France reported on Wednesday December 27. Conversely, the number of new cases of bronchiolitis continues to fall after a peak observed in early December.

The main indicators of the influenza epidemic “were on the rise” last week, completed on December 24, according to the health agency’s weekly report. The epidemic, which had spread throughout the eastern part of the country, is now also hitting Ile-de-France and Hauts-de-France. As for the regions of France where the epidemic is not yet in full swing, they are already in the so-called “pre-epidemic” phase.

Barrier gestures always recommended

The last major winter epidemic to be monitored weekly, Covid-19 continues to record a significant wave, but this is starting to ebb slightly.

“In this context of high circulation of different respiratory viruses and in addition to vaccination against influenza and Covid-19” among the most fragile, such as those over 65, “the systematic adoption of barrier gestures by all remains essential, in particular the wearing of a mask in the event of symptoms, in busy places and in the presence of vulnerable people”recalls Public Health France.