Data on influenza in French Guiana are extremely limited, but according to the annual reports of the Pasteur Institute of French Guiana, the disease appeared to be very rare... In November 1995, a network of sentinel physicians was established. It consists of 12 general practitioners out of approximately 70 practicing in French Guiana... Influenza viruses circulated epidemically in early 1996, with a very significant increase in clinical cases and 1,270 cases reported during January and February. Data on medication use reflect this early-year epidemic surge. To improve our understanding of influenza epidemiology in French Guiana, surveillance must continue. (adapted from the text).