France

Clinical monitoring: in metropolitan France, last week (2019w02), the incidence rate of acute diarrhea seen in general practice was estimated at 191 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI [173 ; 209]), above the epidemic threshold level (173 cases per 100,000).
The activity of acute diarrhea is increasing. The non-consolidate incidence rate for 2019w02 is above the epidemic threshold. However, it could be estimated under the epidemic threshold once all data will be transmitted by the Sentinelles practioners. It is necessary to observe two consecutive weeks above the threshold to confirm the onset of the gastroenteritis epidemic.
At the regional level, the highest incidence rates were noted in: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (288 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 95% CI [202 ; 374]), Grand Est (269, 95% CI [195 ; 343]) and Normandie (238, 95% CI [156 ; 320]).
Regarding the cases reported last week, the median age was 28 years (2 months to 2 years). Males accounted for stat name="desc.diarrhee.sexe.M"}% of the cases. These cases showed no particular sign of severity: there were no hospitalized cases reported for acute diarrhea last week. / the percentage of hospitalization was estimated at 0.7% (95% CI [0.0 ; 1.5]).
Forecast:  according to the forecast model based on historical data, the level of activity of aaccording to the forecast model based on historical data, the activity level of acute diarrhea could remain stable or increase slightly in the upcoming weeks.
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Clinical monitoring: in metropolitan France, last week (2019w02), the incidence rate of influenza-like illness seen in general practice was estimated at 123 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI [109 ; 137]).
At the regional level, the highest incidence rates were reported in: Ile-de-France (176 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 95% CI [127 ; 225]), Occitanie (173, 95% CI [116 ; 230]) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (171, 95% CI [106 ; 236]).
The Sentinelles data are now integrated into an epidemic detection tool for influenza developed by ’Santé publique France’, combining information from primary care and hospital emergencies.
In order to have a global vision of the situation in metropolitan France, all available data on winter respiratory infections are analysed jointly by Santé publique France, the National Respiratory Viruses Reference Center and the Sentinelles network.
In view of all this information, the conclusions for the last week (2019w02) are:
- Increase of the influenza activity;
- Eight regions in epidemic phase and 5 regions in pre-epidemic phase in metropolitan France;
- Predominant circulation of the influenza type A viruses;
- Slight increase of the vaccine coverage among at risk people compared to the previous season
Virological monitoring: since week 2018w40, date of start of monitoring, 713 samples were swabbed by the Sentinelles network practitioners (477 by general practitionners and 236 by pediatricians). Among all the samples tested (n=711), 150 (21,1%) were positive for an influenza virus.
Last week, 87 samples were tested. Among them, 51 (58,6%) were positive for an influenza virus.The positivity rate has increased this week.
The viruses of type A(H3N2) et A(H1N1)pdm09 were circulating. The influenza viruses detected since the beginning of their monitoring were distributed as follows:
- 52   (7.3%) A(H1N1)pdm09 virus,
- 79 (11.1%) A(H3N2) virus,
- 19   (2.7%) A unsubtyped virus,
-   0   (0.0%) B/Victoria lineage virus,
-   0   (0.0%) B/Yamagata lineage virus,
-   0   (0.0%) B unknown lineage virus.
No influenza A and B viruses co-infections has been observed over the entire virological surveillance period.
Regarding the other respiratory viruses, since the beginning of their monitoring, 127 swabs (17.8%) were positive for the rhinovirus (hRV), 109 (15.7%) for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and 24 (3.5%) for the metapneumovirus (hMPV).
The samples were analyzed by the CNR (Coordinating center: Institut Pasteur - Paris, associated center: Hospices civils de Lyon), and the laboratory of Virology at the University of Corsica.
Forecast: according to the forecast models based on historical data and on medication deliveries (IQVIA research partnership), the activity of ILI should continue to increase in the upcoming weeks.
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In metropolitan France, last week (2019w02), the incidence rate of Chickenpox seen in general practice was estimated at 21 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI [15 ; 27]).
Seven regional clusters were noted, high in Pays de la Loire (52 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 95% CI [0 ; 144]) and moderate in Hauts-de-France (29, 95% CI [6 ; 52]), Centre-Val de Loire (24, 95% CI [8 ; 40]), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (24, 95% CI [5 ; 43]), Occitanie (23, 95% CI [5 ; 41]), Grand Est (22, 95% CI [1 ; 43]) and Corse (22, 95% CI [0 ; 52]).