The flu epidemic, which has been very virulent in France since the start of winter, has started to slow down in recent days but remains very active, particularly among children, the public health agency summed up on Wednesday.
Last week, up to Sunday February 2, was marked by a "slowdown in the epidemic in mainland France", announced Public Health France in its latest weekly report.
This is potentially a turning point as the seasonal flu epidemic has proven exceptionally virulent this winter, a situation partly linked to the simultaneous circulation of three strains of the virus.
Among adults, mortality appears to be particularly high compared to previous years and among children, the number of hospitalizations has reached an exceptionally high level.
Last week's slowdown marks the first signs of a weakening of the epidemic, with a decline in flu-related activity in hospitals, as well as doctor visits.
However, “influenza activity (is) still very high and particularly among children,” warns Public Health France.
The level of hospitalizations, in particular, remains "at a very high level among those under 15 and (remains) high among those aged 65 and over", i.e. the people most at risk of potentially fatal complications.
All metropolitan regions remain affected by the epidemic, as well as overseas regions such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana and, now, Mayotte, where the health situation has been complicated by the recent passage of cyclone Chido.
Public Health France is once again calling for the use of barrier gestures as the flu vaccine has proven to be ineffective this year among the elderly, even though the vaccination campaign has been extended until the end of the month.
As for other seasonal epidemics, that of bronchiolitis which affects babies, is gradually coming to an end in France after having been relatively mild this year.
As for Covid, it remains at a low point with “activity generally stable at low levels”.
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