Monitoring influenza outbreaks at the regional level. Example of the 2014–2015 winter outbreak in the Pays de la Loire region, France

Introduction: Using the 2014–2015 influenza epidemic in the Pays de la Loire region as a case study, this article describes how surveillance tools are used at the regional level and their ability to meet the objectives of such surveillance, while highlighting how they complement the national system. Methods: In the Pays de la Loire region, surveillance relies on several complementary sources of information: diagnoses of influenza-like illness made by SOS Médecins and during visits to hospital emergency departments, cases of severe influenza requiring intensive care, outbreaks of acute respiratory infections in elderly care facilities, virological analyses conducted by university hospital laboratories, and mortality data. Results: The 2014–2015 flu season was characterized by an epidemic that had a significant impact on the elderly. All regional surveillance indicators were consistent in describing an epidemic of greater magnitude than in previous years. The impact on the healthcare system was marked by the activation of "hospital under strain" protocols in the majority of healthcare facilities in the region and an increase in outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Conclusion: This assessment highlights the value of a regionalized analysis of influenza surveillance data, complementing national surveillance. This level of coordination and analysis improves the quality of data collection, facilitates reflection on relevant indicators, provides direct feedback to surveillance stakeholders, refines analysis at the geographic level, and, finally, delivers information tailored to local needs.

Author(s): Hubert B, Fortin N, Ollivier R, Barataud D

Publishing year: 2015

Pages: 604-11

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2015, n° 32-33, p. 604-11

In relation to

Our latest news

news

2026 “Sexual Behavior” Survey (ERAS) for men who have sex with men

news

Hervé Maisonneuve has been appointed scientific integrity officer for a...

Visuel illustratif

news

Public Health France 2026 Barometer: Launch of the Survey