France: THE FLU EPIDEMIC IS EXPECTED TO REACH ITS PEAK IN THE COMING WEEKS

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

France: EMERGENCIES. WEAKENED BY FLU

Mercredi 14 janvier 2009

Relaxnews
Dernière mise à jour : 15 Janvier 2009

According to forecasts from the sentinel, the epidemic of gastroenteritis has reached its peak this week, while the peak of the epidemic of influenza would occur within two to three weeks.
770,000 people suffering from influenza have consulted their GP last four weeks, and 1,420,000 people suffering from gastroenteritis have consulted their doctor over the past six weeks.

Nationally, the incidence of influenza was 419 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, above the epidemic threshold, which is 171 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The average age of the patient is 33 years. Eighteen regions have exceeded the epidemic threshold last week, including the Rhone-Alpes, Champagne-Ardennes, Brittany and Nord-Pas-de-Calais, at the top. Good news, the vaccine works well, its effectiveness is 80% in less than 65 years. According to estimates, the epidemic will reach its peak in the next two to three weeks.



Nationally, the incidence of gastroenteritis was 528 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, above the epidemic threshold of 285 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The average age of the patient is 28 years. Sixteen regions have exceeded the epidemic threshold to 11 January, with the Limousin, Corsica, Picardy and Lower Normandy, the most affected. According to estimates, the peak of the epidemic was reached this week.