Key points

Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

• In hospitals: The rate of emergency department visits for acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) was down, accounting for 8.8% of total activity (-1 percentage point). The number of emergency department visits for ALRTIs decreased to 5,902 (-15%), a decline likely due in part to year-end vacation travel.

• In the community: At SOS Médecins, the number of procedures also declined, with 3,929 procedures (-9%). The activity rate for lower respiratory tract infections decreased by 27% (-2.8 percentage points)

Bronchiolitis

• Epidemic level: Activity levels related to bronchiolitis were down for the first week of 2026 and continued to remain at a level comparable to last season. The Île-de-France region moved into the post-epidemic phase for the first week.

Influenza and influenza-like illness

• The Île-de-France region was on epidemic alert for the sixth consecutive week.

• All ages combined: the number of healthcare visits and the proportion of activity related to influenza-like illnesses were declining in emergency departments and in private practice (SOS Médecins data), linked to a significant decrease in healthcare visits for influenza-like illness among those under 15 years of age. Although the peak incidence appears to have passed in week 52, a potential resurgence of the epidemic cannot be ruled out following the return from the end-of-year holidays. However, the number of hospitalizations following emergency department visits continued to rise.

• Among those aged 65 and older: demand for care continued to rise in this age group, with a sharp increase in the number of visits to healthcare facilities (+18% in emergency departments) and the number of hospitalizations for flu-like symptoms following a visit to the emergency department, reflecting the spread of the virus from younger to older individuals, particularly during end-of-year family gatherings.

COVID-19

• SOS Médecins: The number of cases involving suspected COVID-19 increased among those aged 15–64, while it decreased in other age groups, remaining generally stable overall. Case numbers remained low.

• Emergency room visits: The number of emergency room visits for suspected COVID-19 remained stable across all age groups. Case numbers remained low.

• SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: In S01, an overall trend toward stabilization in SARS-CoV-2 circulation in wastewater was observed in Île-de-France. All monitored stations had interpretable results.