The flu is circulating intensely throughout mainland France.
As we enter spring, France is facing a major epidemic rebound of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In question, the Omicron variant and more precisely its BA.2 sub-lineage, which replaces the previous BA.1 strain. Its high contagiousness causes a resurgence of epidemic indicators: as of March 24, 2022, there are more than 100,000 new daily cases on average over 7 days.
But the flu is also making a comeback during this period. In its latest bulletin, dated March 23, 2022, Public Health France notes a “ continued increase in all influenza indicators “.
“All regions in epidemic”
The flu progressed by +50% between week 10 and week 11. “ All regions are now in the epidemic phase “, notes Public Health France, and this concerns all classes. The A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses co-circulate, but it is the H3N2 subtype which becomes the majority.
This flu epidemic throughout the metropolitan territory comes very late compared to normal – since the epidemic started at the end of winter and continues in early spring. In question, the concomitance between the end of the winter school holidays and the easing of restrictions which aimed to control the covid pandemic.
Indeed, since mid-March, wearing a mask, in particular, is no longer compulsory in closed places and the protocol in the company is no longer imposed. However, these measures also acted as brakes on other viruses, so their release led to a sudden, stronger recirculation of the flu – and of some other winter viruses. ” In order to effectively fight against the transmission of all viruses, including that of the flu, or even that of Covid-19, it is necessary to continue to apply barrier gestures. “, recalls Public Health France.
According to initial estimates, the flu vaccine would be 50% effective this season. This vaccine is readjusted each year to new influenza strains, its effectiveness therefore fluctuates from one year to another, and almost never exceeds 50%.
