Highlights

• In Week 04 (January 25–31), activity related to influenza and influenza-like illnesses continued to rise but remained comparable to that of the 2013–2014 season. It accounts for 0.30% and 2.63%, respectively, of all diagnoses made by emergency departments in the OSCOUR® network and the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle. According to data from the virology laboratory at the Nancy University Hospital, the number of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza viruses is 7 for influenza A and 3 for influenza B.

• A first case of severe influenza requiring hospitalization in the intensive care unit was reported in Lorraine during week 04.

• Since the update on January 21, one new cluster of acute respiratory infections has been reported in a long-term care facility for the elderly in Lorraine. Thirteen such clusters have been reported since September 1, 2015.

• Trends in bronchiolitis-related activity in the OSCOUR® network’s emergency departments have been declining since week 52, despite an increase in the number of diagnoses in week 04. It accounts for 12% of total weekly activity among children under 2 years of age. Activity related to this condition for the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle continues to decline, reaching 5.4% of total activity in the under-2 age group.

• According to the virology laboratory at Nancy University Hospital, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the predominant respiratory virus in week 04, though there has been an increase in influenza viruses (A and B combined). Parainfluenza virus is found in low numbers.

• In Lorraine, activity related to gastroenteritis in the emergency departments of the OSCOUR® network and the SOS Médecins association in Meurthe-et-Moselle is increasing, while remaining in line with trends observed in previous years. With 153 and 98 diagnoses, respectively, this condition accounts for 1.4% and 9.7% of their activity.

• Since the update on January 21, four new clusters of acute gastroenteritis cases in elderly care facilities have been reported in Lorraine, bringing the total number of reports since September 1, 2015, to 18.

• According to data from the virology laboratory at Nancy University Hospital, the number of positive samples for circulating enteric viruses in week 04 is as follows: 1 for adenovirus and 7 for rotavirus.

• During week 04, no cases of CO poisoning were reported in Lorraine.

• The emerging Zika virus infection is discussed at the end of this epidemiological update.