Key Points

Surveillance of Gastroenteritis

• Activity related to gastroenteritis in emergency departments in the Grand-Est region remains higher than what was observed in previous years during the same period.

• During Week 02 (January 9–15, 2017), activity related to this condition in emergency departments and SOS Médecins clinics decreased slightly.

• High activity continues to be observed by the Sentinelles Network, with the epidemic threshold exceeded.

• Surveillance in elderly care facilities: 23 clusters of acute gastroenteritis cases have been reported since the January 5 update, for a total of 82 episodes since the start of surveillance.

• According to data from the virology laboratories at the Nancy and Strasbourg University Hospitals, rotavirus circulation is on the rise in the region.

Bronchiolitis Surveillance

• In week 02, bronchiolitis-related activity among children under 2 years of age continued to decline in emergency departments and among SOS Médecins associations.

• The Grand Est region has remained in the epidemic phase since week 47. In week 02, 5 metropolitan regions are in the post-epidemic phase

• According to data from the virology laboratories at the Nancy and Strasbourg university hospitals, the circulation of respiratory syncytial virus is beginning to decline in the region.

Influenza Surveillance

• In week 02, there was a decrease in influenza-related activity reported by SOS Médecins, but a moderate resurgence of activity in emergency departments.

• The Grand Est region is still in the epidemic phase

• Thirteen severe cases of influenza have been reported by intensive care units in the Grand Est region since the update on January 12.

• Since September 1, 2016, 81 clusters of acute respiratory infections in long-term care facilities have been reported.

Mortality surveillance

• According to data available as of January 17, 2017, a significant increase in mortality has been observed since week 49 (December 5–11, 2016) and continues for the fifth consecutive week in the Grand Est region.