French health authorities have observed a worrying increase in cases since the start of the year. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 70 cases were reported to Public Health France, compared to only 18 for the whole of 2023.
Croatia, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are currently in an epidemic phase, with several hundred cases per week. The infection can lead to life-threatening respiratory or multiorgan failure. It is also feared in the elderly (increased risk of rib fractures due to coughing, cerebral hemorrhage, and secondary infection), people with chronic lung diseases, and immunocompromised people. An infected person transmits the disease to fifteen other people on average. Transmission occurs via aerosols emitted when an infected person coughs. Treatment is based on antibiotics, both for the patient and those close to them.