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**Pathfinder** · January 28, 2019, 01:40 PM

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Influenza: deaths despite the vaccine

> Society> Health | Florence M?r?o | January 27, 2019, 9:43 pm | Update: January 28, 2019, 9:06 am

Four residents and two caregivers of a Loiret Ehpad died, probably from the flu. The vaccine alone is not enough to avoid the virus.

To protect them, the residents are confined, without a visit from outside. Like all caregivers, they receive antiviral treatment, both preventive and curative. Because here, in this health center and this Ehpad gathered in a single building of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret), rages a major epidemic of influenza. The virus (whose responsibility has not yet been established for all cases) has taken the lives of six people in the last two weeks. Four over 90 years old, and, rare, that of two staff members. According to our information, three of the residents and one of the carers were vaccinated.

"You have to understand that the vaccine does not protect 100% of the flu. For very old people who have a syndrome known as immunosenescence, a defective immune system, the rate of effectiveness is only 15 to 20%. For the general population, this efficiency is not so bad, around 65-70% for the H1N1 virus which is one of those (with H3N2) that currently circulate, "decrypts Professor Bruno Lina, virologist specialist of influenza.

Given these figures, does vaccination, promoted by all health authorities, really make sense? "Yes," replies Professor Lina. There are fewer deaths in the vaccinated than in the unvaccinated. Injection also helps to reduce the intensity of the disease, which continues to increase significantly in France. Finally, the higher the immunization coverage, the more we protect each other.

"The mistake is to think that vaccination is enough"

"But the mistake is to think that it's enough to protect and relax on the rest," said Bruno Lina. Vaccination must not overshadow the "barrier" measures: wash your hands regularly, wear a disposable mask in front of a fragile public, do not kiss, sneeze in your elbow, use a disposable tissue ... Neither "avoidance" measures. Recently, however, the Ehpad of Chapelle Saint-Mesmin organized a visit for children.

"It's something that makes me feel bad, even though it's clear that there is no causal connection between the two events. This allows us to remember, no, mixing children and the elderly in flu, is not a good idea. Many residences are not aware of this. The young can be in the incubation phase, "notes the doctor.

While the peak of the epidemic is expected in the coming weeks, is it still useful to go through the vaccine box? "It's entirely possible," says Bruno Lina, "but only if you understand that it will only be effective 15 days later. So do not forget: hygiene, hygiene, hygiene ...

http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/san...19-7998216.php

**Pathfinder** · January 28, 2019, 05:18 PM

Translation Google

Serial deaths in an Ehpad: only one "proven" case of influenza in six

> Society | The Parisian with AFP | January 28, 2019, 9:13 pm | Update: January 28, 2019, 21:14 | 0

Contrary to the suspicions of the ARS, only one of the people who died with diagnosed influenza-like illness really succumbed to the virus.

Confusion reigns Monday night at the health center of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret). Earlier in the day, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) confirmed that six people - four residents and two staff members from the Ehpad and the adjoining rehabilitation center - were "presumably" dead because of a syndrome. influenza. But the agency later reiterated that only one "proven" case of influenza had been established for these suspicious deaths.

This is an 85-year-old woman, who passed away on Saturday morning at the CHR of Orl?ans, explained the ARS du Center-Val-de-Loire. The son of the octogenarian, Beno?t Desroche, announced Monday his intention to file a complaint. "She was not vaccinated. It had been in previous years but not this year. She had been ill for three weeks and she was hospitalized only 48 hours before her death. If her case had been taken in time, maybe she would still be here today, "he said.

End of confinement Thursday?
Regarding the two health center staff who also died, the LRA simply states that one of them was not vaccinated and that she does not know if the other was.

According to a statement from the Health Insurance Monday, "the situation related to the flu epidemic is being stabilized" in the complex (78 residents in the Ehpad Umbrages and 81 patients in the rehabilitation center Le Coteau) , confined for several days. The reopening of the two institutions is currently planned for Thursday.

96% of the vaccinated residents
Ugecam, which runs the complex, said on Sunday that the outbreak affected "about twenty people" in the entire building and that three of the deceased residents had been vaccinated, "the fourth did not wish to be vaccinated ". The director of the structure said that "96% of the residents are vaccinated" but that there was "no obligation".

In 2017-2018, the mortality attributable to influenza was estimated at nearly 13,000 deaths in France, including 85% among those over 75 years of age, according to a study published in October in the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (BEH).

Currently, "the flu epidemic has been present in France for 3 weeks. All metropolitan areas except Normandy are affected. Type A viruses were very much in the majority. This epidemic causes serious cases and deaths as every year, "said the ARS Sunday.

http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/dec...19-7999071.php

**Pathfinder** · February 3, 2019, 08:14 PM

Translation Google

CENTER-VAL OF LOIRELOIRET

Six deaths linked to influenza in a nursing home in Loiret: the answers to your questions

Six people including two staff members died as a result of the influenza epidemic that hit the Ehpad des Ombrages in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret). Lack of analysis on the causes of death? Seasonal flu or bird flu? Let's disentangle the truth from the false.

By Am?lie Rigodanzo
Posted on 02/02/2019 at 15:58

The epidemic of influenza that hit the Ehpad Umbrages in La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin (Loiret) was particularly deadly. Six people died including two staff members.

Deaths that caused the stir but also the anxiety of many residents of Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin and, more broadly, the agglomeration of Orleans.

Despite the many points of information sent to the media by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), many questions remained unresolved, opening the way for rumors and suspicions. Here are some explanations to shed light on everything that did not seem very clear in this case.

Why was only one of six deaths attributed to influenza?

The Regional Health Agency had said in a statement that "among the six deaths, the influenza virus was isolated from a resident". Only one of the deaths can be attributed to influenza on the basis of analyzes. This is a resident of 85 years deceased after being transferred to the CHR of Orleans.

But then, why not have done some analysis on the other victims in order to eliminate any possibility that another disease is responsible for this slaughter? Contacted by telephone, Dr Fran?oise Dumay, director of public health at the ARS Center-Val de Loire, explains that "there is no particular interest in doing these analyzes".

The analyzes are not performed at the request of the ARS, but doctors. "Everyone is not taken in. As soon as people are hospitalized or seen in consultation, it is the doctor who makes the decision to make analyzes".

The last victim thus benefited from an analysis during her hospitalization and, according to the director of public health: "There were also samples of sick staff (it is not about those who died, ed) who have also demonstrated the presence of the flu virus ". The two deceased staff members were on sick leave and also had flu-like symptoms.

Following the procedure of cross-checking this information, the Director of Public Health explained that, in this context of regional and national influenza outbreaks, "we have a very strong set of arguments that says that, given the overall these deaths are very likely to be related to influenza, there is no reason to do additional analyzes in this context. "

In the same logic, Dr. Dumay states that "every year, the Public Health Agency France makes its balance sheet, and assigns a number of deaths to the flu depending on the context of the flu epidemic."

Is this the bird flu virus?

According to the analyzes carried out, residents of the health center were suffering from seasonal flu. A type A flu that has sparked the interrogations of many Internet users on social networks.

"Is this bird flu?" These are worried many of our readers. The Regional Health Agency said in a statement: "This is not in any case avian flu." But for the non-specialist in virology, confusion is possible.

You should know that there are three types of seasonal flu today: A, B and C. "This is the virus A that is predominant this year," says the director of public health.

Type A viruses are subdivided into subtypes. If both seasonal and avian influenza belong to the group of type A viruses, we must distinguish between seasonal influenza (H1N1) and bird flu (H5N1).

According to a publication of the World Health Organization (WHO): "The H1N1 flu caused a human pandemic in 2009. This strain of virus is now part of seasonal influenza viruses, it is manifested by a high fever, body aches, sore throat, headache and tiredness. "

Not to be confused with Avian Flu (or H5N1), which is a virus that affects birds, it is not transmitted from person to person, but contamination in humans through an infected bird is possible."

Why were not all patients and staff vaccinated?

Vaccination of healthcare professionals, like that of patients, is not mandatory but strongly recommended. The ARS recalled in a statement that "in the context of contractual relations between the ARS and the medical-social and health institutions, targets are set to improve immunization coverage."

According to the Regional Health Agency, three of the deceased residents had been vaccinated. One of the two staff members who died at his home was not. For the second, it is currently impossible to know whether or not he had been vaccinated.

"We must understand that the vaccine does not protect 100% of the flu," says the ARS. For very old people who have a defective immune system, the vaccine protects only 15 to 20%. For the general population, it protects up to 65-70%.

Last year, 13,000 deaths were attributed to the influenza epidemic in France.

Has the institution been slow to respond?

Until Thursday, January 31, the establishment was confined. Family visits to residents were forbidden and the whereabouts of patients and caregivers was very limited.

The facility claimed to have taken the necessary sanitary measures by administering a preventive treatment against influenza, Tamiflu according to the ARS. The premises were disinfected and instructions such as the wearing of masks and the regular disinfection of hands using a hydroalcoholic gel were provided.

The ARS estimated Thursday that the situation was now "under control": "We are in almost constant connection with the establishment.While it is reopened, there are some residents still sick so barrier measures are still in place . "
...

https://france3-regions.francetvinfo...s-1617833.html

Announcement

France - La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin health center: 2 staff members and 4 patients have died of influenza in recent days

France - La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin health center: 2 staff members and 4 patients have died of influenza in recent days

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