AFP, published on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 1:38 p.m.
The flu epidemic continues to rise, unusually late in the season, in all regions of the metropolis, according to the weekly report from Public Health France, published on Wednesday.
Last week, “almost all flu indicators were still on the rise in mainland France”, indicates the public health agency, specifying that “all metropolitan areas and all age groups” are concerned.
In city medicine as in hospitals, flu-related activity increased again last week, while remaining at a “moderate” level.
At the hospital, 8,918 visits to the emergency room for flu or flu syndrome were thus recorded (+ 29% over one week), and 908 hospitalizations after passage (+ 22%).
In Overseas France, Guyana has entered the post-epidemic phase.
On the mortality side, “a marked increase in the share of flu-related deaths from the electronic certification system has been observed” for several weeks.
Usually, the peak of this epidemic caused by respiratory influenza viruses is reached around February.
The late resumption of influenza this year may be linked to poorer herd immunity to this epidemic, according to virologists. In winter 2020-2021, the French were indeed less infected than usual, because the anti-Covid containment measures blocked the circulation of many other viruses.
In addition, the intensification of recent weeks is “very likely favored by the easing of control measures for the Covid-19 pandemic”, notes Public Health France on Wednesday, in unison with other specialists who have pointed the finger the lifting of the mandatory mask in almost all places closed since March 14.
“Vaccination and respect for barrier gestures remain the best means of protecting yourself from the flu”, recalls the health agency.
Just over half (about 51.4%) of people at risk, those over 65 and vulnerable people, have been vaccinated against the flu, according to estimates.
This vaccine “shield” has limits.
Flu vaccination started a little over five months ago, raising questions among some specialists about the level of protection now.
In addition, the effectiveness of the 2021-2022 influenza vaccine is estimated at 52% against all influenza viruses, according to initial data. “Several viral strains are currently circulating in mainland France and a majority of them are not related to the strains present in the vaccine”, notes the health agency.