For some parents, it is a very long winter scored by cough, gray mines and a good dose of syrup in paracetamol. The flu is affected this year, even in children. This is what the French Public Health Agency (SPF) points out in an epidemiological bulletin on Wednesday, January 29.
In this note, informing about the circulation of seasonal viruses, the health authority approaches the particularly strong activity of the flu in the youngest. The incidence rate, the number of cases related to the global population, is “exceptionally high in less than five years”, with more than 1,500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
“In the hospital, the proportion of hospitalizations for influenza/influenza syndrome between hospitalizations all causes were at a very high level of intensity in children and (one level) in 15 years or more,” explains SPF.
A teenager killed by “pneumonia after an influenza”
Some of these cases are anything but harmless. Anne-Laure, mother of two daughters, tells BFMTV that one of them experienced a particularly painful infection. “He really couldn’t get out of his bed for at least two weeks. There were 40 ° C fever peaks, throat pain, heard … We were worried,” he testifies.
In Maine-Et-Loire, the virus even led to a drama. In Saumur, Sunday, January 26, a 12 -year -old teenager “died of consecutive pneumonia to an influenza”, as explained by prosecutor Alexandra Verron after the victim’s autopsy.
A case among others? Based on preliminary data, France public health only specifies that two hundred deaths have been reported since the beginning of the epidemic, “including 62 between 65 or more.” During the past week, 40 children under two years of age were admitted to resuscitation for a flu, to which 54 from 2 to 17 years are added.
A notion of virus tension and antibodies
Therefore, the observation is definitive: the youngest takes the wave in front. But why? Part of the answer is in the details of the epidemic 2024-2025.
The term “influenza” is an abuse of language that brings together several strains of the virus under the same label. These days, we observe the co-circulation of three virus strains, A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B/Victoria. A situation qualified as “unusual” by the authorities.
Since all strains do not circulate at the same time, some children develop an “immune memory” for some of them, but not for others, as explained to France, Brigitte Virey, president of the National Union of Pediatra French (SNPF).
“Some, among the youngest, have never faced a flu virus and have no antibodies,” said the expert.
There is also the issue of vaccination. High health authority recommends the flu vaccine in “6 months” in children with comorbidities. “Seasonal flu vaccination is also offered to children from 2 to 17 years without chronic diseases,” said the reference organization.
However, the French seem very reluctant to vaccinate their children. According to the latest official figures, in the 2023-2024 season, the vaccination coverage rate for those under 18 at risk of severe flu was only 13.9%.
In a way, the calendar could stop the wave. The period periods lead to exchanges and infections among children. Then they can transmit the disease to their parents in turn. Winter holidays could offer a break. But the best remedy remains the use of barrier and vaccination gestures.
Source: BFM TV
