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Flu epidemic: Intensive care units in French Polynesia are overwhelmed by the early arrival of the virus.
The flu epidemic is hitting French Polynesia, and even earlier this year. Health authorities strongly recommend a return to preventative measures and vaccination for the most vulnerable. Since October 5th, 155 cases have been confirmed, including 55 hospitalizations and three deaths. The hospital and intensive care unit are struggling to cope without additional staff.
By Kaline Lienard, Polynesia 1st Editorial Staff
Published on November 12, 2026 at 9:25 PM
His life hangs by a thread, dependent on a machine to oxygenate his blood. A 41-year-old patient at Taaone Hospital contracted the flu, but his obesity worsened his condition, requiring admission to intensive care. With around ten hospitalizations related to the virus last week, including four in intensive care, Dr. Juliette Sautillet, an intensive care physician, is sounding the alarm: "We were forced to create a special unit, meaning we had to open special beds so that flu patients could be hospitalized. This requires more nurses and doctors, even though we haven't hired any more staff ," she warns. "We're simply asking them to do more work, more hours, in a different department than they usually do."
To avoid the worst, health authorities are encouraging everyone over 60, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses (red cards), and people with obesity to get vaccinated. It is free for these vulnerable populations since they "are considered a target group and are known to experience more severe cases of the flu ," explains Laurence Rochat Stettler, an infectious disease specialist at the health department. "This means there is an increased risk of hospitalization, or hospitalization in intensive care, or even death, and we know that the flu kills. Last year there were 13 deaths linked to the virus, and it is important that these populations be vaccinated to minimize the symptoms of the illness."
The early arrival of a sometimes deadly epidemic
Why get vaccinated as soon as possible? Because this year, the flu epidemic started earlier, even before the vaccination campaign began at the end of October. "We're in parallel with the Northern Hemisphere, the United States, and Europe, and never really ahead, but this year we are," says Dr. André Wattiaux, a physician at the ARASS health surveillance unit. "We've already seen many cases here in French Polynesia. Just last week, we had over a hundred cases, with hospitalizations and, unfortunately, three deaths since the start of the season."
Since influenza is an extremely contagious disease, in addition to vaccination, authorities recommend the application of barrier gestures, such as wearing a mask and frequent hand washing.
...
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la1ere.franceinfo.fr
The flu epidemic is hitting French Polynesia, and even earlier this year. Health authorities strongly recommend a return to preventative measures and vaccination for the most vulnerable. Since October 5th, 155 cases have been confirmed, including 55 hospitalizations and three deaths. The hospital and intensive care unit are struggling to cope without additional staff.
By Kaline Lienard, Polynesia 1st Editorial Staff
Published on November 12, 2026 at 9:25 PM
His life hangs by a thread, dependent on a machine to oxygenate his blood. A 41-year-old patient at Taaone Hospital contracted the flu, but his obesity worsened his condition, requiring admission to intensive care. With around ten hospitalizations related to the virus last week, including four in intensive care, Dr. Juliette Sautillet, an intensive care physician, is sounding the alarm: "We were forced to create a special unit, meaning we had to open special beds so that flu patients could be hospitalized. This requires more nurses and doctors, even though we haven't hired any more staff ," she warns. "We're simply asking them to do more work, more hours, in a different department than they usually do."
To avoid the worst, health authorities are encouraging everyone over 60, pregnant women, those with chronic illnesses (red cards), and people with obesity to get vaccinated. It is free for these vulnerable populations since they "are considered a target group and are known to experience more severe cases of the flu ," explains Laurence Rochat Stettler, an infectious disease specialist at the health department. "This means there is an increased risk of hospitalization, or hospitalization in intensive care, or even death, and we know that the flu kills. Last year there were 13 deaths linked to the virus, and it is important that these populations be vaccinated to minimize the symptoms of the illness."
The early arrival of a sometimes deadly epidemic
Why get vaccinated as soon as possible? Because this year, the flu epidemic started earlier, even before the vaccination campaign began at the end of October. "We're in parallel with the Northern Hemisphere, the United States, and Europe, and never really ahead, but this year we are," says Dr. André Wattiaux, a physician at the ARASS health surveillance unit. "We've already seen many cases here in French Polynesia. Just last week, we had over a hundred cases, with hospitalizations and, unfortunately, three deaths since the start of the season."
Since influenza is an extremely contagious disease, in addition to vaccination, authorities recommend the application of barrier gestures, such as wearing a mask and frequent hand washing.
...
Épidémie de grippe : le service de réanimation en Polynésie française sature face à l'arrivée précoce du virus d'un virus précoce - Outre-mer La 1ère
L'épidémie de grippe frappe la Polynésie et encore plus tôt cette année. Le retour des gestes barrières et la vaccination des plus fragiles sont fortement recommandés par les autorités sanitaires. Depuis le 5 octobre, 155 cas ont été confirmés, dont 55 hospitalisations et trois décès. L'hôpital...
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