A fire broke out in several warehouses in the Grand Couronne industrial zone, located in the southern part of the Rouen metropolitan area, on January 16 and 17, 2023. These warehouses stored lithium batteries and tires, among other items.

Exposure to any type of smoke can, by its very nature, cause irritation in the ENT area and the eyes. Specific epidemiological surveillance of this event, covering several syndrome clusters, was implemented to detect any unusual increases in emergency care utilization. This surveillance is based on the analysis of data from emergency departments* and the SOS Médecins Rouen association via the SurSaUD® system.

A specific, context-based coding system is used by physicians from the SOS Médecins Rouen association as well as by emergency room physicians in the Rouen metropolitan area to identify any cases related to the Grand Couronne fire.

*Charles Nicolle University Hospital (adult and pediatric), St. Julien Hospital, Clinique du Cèdre and Clinique de l’Europe, the Elbeuf Intercommunal Hospital (CHI), and the SOS Médecins Rouen association.