2023-09-15 14:58:05
As the seasonal bronchiolitis epidemic approaches, Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health and Prevention, went this morning to the Caen University Hospital to officially launch the deployment of preventive treatment for newborns and infants from this Friday, September 15, in order to protect them against bronchiolitis.
In 2022, the bronchiolitis epidemic was particularly strong with the number of weekly hospitalizations and emergency room visits at very high levels. Each year, 45,000 hospitalizations linked to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are recorded, 69% of which concern children under the age of one.
Administered in a single injection, this monoclonal antibody deployed throughout France represents a major advance in the fight against bronchiolitis. This treatment will be available on prescription in health establishments and in community pharmacies without billing to patients. It will be offered to all babies under one year old in maternity wards, general medicine, pediatrics and midwives’ offices. To facilitate the widest possible administration of the treatment, it may be administered by a doctor or nurse or midwife.
To move towards this culture of prevention, I know that each health professional will be fully involved in informing parents and families about this new treatment. It is up to us collectively to seize this medical hope which will allow us to prevent very young babies from ending up in intensive care, and to reduce the incidence of bronchiolitis and therefore the pressure on the health system.
Aurélien Rousseau, Minister of Health and Prevention
In order to limit the spread of this epidemic, the Minister of Health and Prevention also emphasizes the importance of respecting barrier gestures to protect the youngest.
The minister announces that an information campaign, in conjunction with Public Health France, will be launched from Monday September 18 to remind people of the availability of this new treatment and the simple actions to follow in the presence of young children:
- Wash your hands before and after each change, feeding, meal or cuddle;
- Ventilate the entire home regularly;
- Wear a mask in case of cold, cough or fever;
- Avoid taking your child into confined public places;
- Do not share unwashed bottles, pacifiers or cutlery;
- Do not smoke near babies and children.
The minister also welcomes the involvement of Professor Christèle Gras Le Guen, pediatrician, head of the pediatric department at Nantes University Hospital and former president of the French Pediatric Society, who will bring these prevention messages to her peers and the French.
What is bronchiolitis?
Acute bronchiolitis is an epidemic respiratory disease caused in particular by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It mainly affects children before the age of 2. In the vast majority of cases, bronchiolitis is benign and develops favorably, spontaneously. In rare cases, bronchiolitis requires hospitalization or even admission to intensive care. Deaths attributable to acute bronchiolitis are rare (less than 1%).
Contact presse :
Ministry of Health and Prevention
Cabinet of M. Aurélien Rousseau
Tel: 01 40 56 60 60
Email: [email protected]
1694976498
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