The flu virus is still circulating significantly in mid-January, while the peak is expected to approach only “in about ten days”, according to the Ministry of Health. The prevalence of this epidemic can be explained by multiple factors, from less vaccination to the coexistence of three different types of influenza viruses.
“The week from January 6 to 12 was marked by a “marked severity of the epidemic”, reports Public Health of France (SPF) in its latest bulletin, published on Wednesday, January 15.
“This year’s flu epidemic is characterized by exceptionally high levels of flu in hospitals and among deaths that can be observed and are certified electronically,” the epidemiologist from Public Health’s Infectious Diseases flu directorate confirmed to BFMTV. France (SPF). ) Sibylle Bernard-Stoecklin.
To the point that the epidemic is considered “particularly serious” and “more than in previous years,” says the specialist.
Given the influx of patients, 87 hospitals have activated a “white plan”, the system that allows certain operations to be canceled or nursing staff to be withdrawn from sick leave.
Three different flu viruses
For the specialist, the intensity of the flu in January is explained, first of all, by the fact that “the epidemic was already very active at the time of the end-of-year holidays.”
This period, marked by numerous “family reunions” and the closure of many medical offices for leave, probably contributed to reinforcing the circulation of the virus in early January.
Another notable factor is the “circulation of three influenza viruses” this year, according to the epidemiologist. In fact, doctors have observed the coexistence in recent weeks of two strain A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2), in addition to the strain B virus (Victoria).
However, these viruses affect different age groups differently. Therefore, the concomitant presence of the three viruses helps to reach a wider audience. Virologist Bruno Lima has observed in recent weeks many patients “younger than usual”, but also among “older children” and adults “up to 50 years old”, as reported to Agence France-presse (AFP).
“A fever that reaches 40 degrees can be impressive for someone who is not used to it” and “when you have difficulty tolerating all these symptoms, your reflex is: ‘I need a doctor,'” for his part, Dr. Urfan Ashraf, the general secretary of SOS Médicos told AFP.
Lower vaccination coverage
Another important element is vaccination coverage. Although there is no definitive figure, early estimates indicate that fewer French people than in previous years were vaccinated against the flu.
“Unfortunately, vaccination (against flu) has been very poorly understood this year,” says the president of the committee for monitoring and forecasting health risks (Covars), Brigitte Autran, to Inter de France, recalling that, however, Today it is “the only way to anticipate a major flu epidemic.
Sibylle Bernard-Stoecklin, for her part, notes a “decrease in vaccination coverage among people who are at risk of contracting a severe form of influenza.”
Caregivers are also poorly vaccinated
The causes of this weak mobilization remain uncertain for the moment. “I think the population had a kind of boredom with respect to vaccination, believing that Covid was over. But, in reality, the flu persists and the flu will always persist,” says Brigitte Autran.
The general director of Assistance Pública-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Nicolas Revel, points out that this low mobilization also affects hospital staff.
“To date, at AP-HP we have reached 19% (of staff vaccinated), which is approximately the national figure,” he told France Info.
Vaccination is strongly recommended for people over 65 years of age, immunocompromised people, infants over 6 months of age with comorbidities, pregnant women, residents in medical-social facilities and all those who regularly come into contact with with these populations.
Barrier gestures in decline
Furthermore, five years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the French have gradually lost the habit of adopting barrier gestures that, however, effectively prevent the circulation of the virus.
“Patients are less likely to wear a mask; We see some in the waiting room who come without a mask,” says Dr. Urfan Ashraf.
It is still recommended to wash your hands periodically or use hydroalcoholic gel, greet each other without shaking hands, cough or sneeze into your elbow, blow your nose with a single-use tissue, and ventilate the rooms every hour, according to Health Insurance.
The “peak” has not yet passed
Furthermore, the epidemiologist emphasizes that “the flu epidemic is always quite unpredictable.” The causes of the high circulation of the virus have not yet been fully determined.
The director of the AP-HP reminds France Info that “the peak” of the epidemic is “ahead” in mid-January. “There is still time” to get vaccinated, he emphasizes.
The Ministry of Health itself asked the population to “be extremely alert” to “protect the most vulnerable”, in a press release published on Tuesday, January 14. The vaccination campaign, which began on October 15, must continue until January 31.
Source: BFM TV
