The flu epidemic, which had already spread throughout the metropolis in mid-January, intensified further at the end of the month, Public Health France announced on Wednesday January 31. Overseas, the epidemic continues in Guyana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, but has ended in Mayotte, notes the public health agency in a weekly newsletter.
Between January 22 and 28, “all indicators were up sharply in community medicine and hospitals in all age groups”noted the agency.
In this context, the vaccination campaign, which targets in particular those over 65, has been extended by one month by the health authorities. Initially scheduled until January 31, it must now last until February 29.
Bronchiolitis on the decline
On the other hand, the situation is calming for two other major respiratory epidemics: bronchiolitis, which mainly affects babies, and Covid-19. The bronchiolitis epidemic no longer concerns any metropolitan region even if some remain at a post-epidemic stage. In terms of hospitalizations, it will not have reached the exceptionally high level of the 2022-2023 season, but will still have proven to be significant.
As for Covid-19, which manifests itself in frequent waves and not in an annual epidemic during the winter, the indicators fall or remain stable. Especially, “positivity rates have decreased in the city and in hospitals”note Public Health France.