While 2020 had been rather lenient with regard to seasonal illnesses, the trend seems to be reversing this year.
The organization of the coordinated surveillance of emergencies warned: respiratory infections have been on the rise for almost a month.
In an opinion made public on October 7, the Scientific Council in turn warned of the return of the flu: "
It is possible that this epidemic will begin as early as October or November, especially if the barrier measures are lightened quickly and if the exchanges international resumes.
"
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"
The current signal, which shows a certain circulation of virus A (H3N2), can be considered as a serious signal
"
,
continues the Scientific Council which concludes that "
the hypothesis of an epidemic in 2021-2022 must be considered
".
Findings that greatly worry health professionals, who fear finding themselves faced with an influx of patients when they already have Covid patients to take care of.
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If the diseases seem more virulent this year, it is first of all because of the decline in barrier gestures, comments Jonathan Roux at
Le Figaro
.
"
The kiss and the shaking of hands greatly promote the spread of the virus
."
To avoid any contamination, it would then be a question of resuming "
good habits",
ie hand washing, hydroalcoholic gel and mask.
Against influenza, vaccination is undoubtedly the most effective tool (50-60%), recalls the epidemiologist.
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But the decline in barrier gestures may not be the only reason for the resurgence of these diseases.
With containments and health measures last year, few French people have been confronted with the flu virus.
“
This could lead to more symptoms,
” according to epidemiologist Jonathan Roux, adding that “
our immune system could have a little more trouble fighting against these infections
”.
Increased cases of bronchiolitis in children
In addition, the Sentinelles network has noticed a sharp increase in ENT and respiratory pathologies in children.
Between September 27 and October 3, the number of bronchiolitis increased by 23%, or 249 additional emergency room visits, in children under two years of age.
A trend also observed in the field by Doctor Cyril Schweitzer, pediatrician at the Nancy University Hospital: "
We have had very particular epidemics this year, bronchiolitis throughout the month of July
", tells the doctor to
Le Figaro
.
"
It was necessary to reopen the sector as in winter, to deploy a few more people in certain sectors,
" he added.
And since September, the number of visits to the emergency rooms of the CHU de Nancy has increased: “
In normal times, we have 60 to 70 passages of children per day.
In recent times, we have gone up to 80, 90 or even 100 passages per day
”.
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Wash your hands, put on a mask, avoid taking your child shopping on a Saturday afternoon… Epidemiologists and professionals agree: it is essential to maintain the use of barrier gestures to curb these diseases.