Influenza A is spreading faster in France

[Gert van der Hoek]

Influenza A is spreading faster in France

Created 27/08/09 -


The National Institute of Health Surveillance (InVS) estimated at 4,500 the number of cases for the week of August 17 to 23.

The A-H1N1 influenza continues to rise in France. It seems that the rate of progression of the disease has increased in intensity.

In his bulletin dated August 25, the National Institute of Health Surveillance (InVS) indicates that the number of estimated cases of the disease in France has risen to about 4,500 last week, against 3,000 the previous week.

According InVS, 28,000 people accessed for flu symptoms in the week of August 17 to 23, bringing the impact of consultations for flu clinic at 45 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

A significant number, but remains below the epidemic threshold, set at 74 cases per 10,000 inhabitants.

Moreover, the number of episodes of clustered cases has risen sharply, with 29 new episodes, including family homes and shelters, against 13 the previous week.

The number of hospitalizations in turn increased slightly from 9 the previous week to 14. Since hospitalization is more systematic, the mean age of hospitalized patients is 25 years, the severe cases was 43 years. We did not find particular field for 39% of hospitalized patients.

Overseas, "the epidemic continues to grow in Martinique, while decreases in Guadeloupe. On the island of Reunion, influenza activity in private practice continues to grow," wrote InVS.

The epidemic is growing strongly in all French territories in the Pacific (New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna) currently in austral winter season conducive to the spread of influenza viruses. "

http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualit...-A-progresse-plus-vite-en-France/(gid)/238621

 

[gsgs]

Re: Influenza A is spreading faster in France

http://magictour.free.fr/panflu/frank09.JPG

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Influenza A is spreading faster in France

Source: http://www.connexionfrance.com/news_articles.php?id=1047

Row over number of swine flu cases
September 08, 2009

SWINE flu is growing in France at a rate of 20,000 new cases each week, according to unofficial figures that have not been endorsed by the French government.

The Groupes R?gionaux d?Observation de la Grippe (Grog) said the disease outbreak reached a peak at the end of August, when 23,000 new cases were recorded in one week.

The organisation has been monitoring the spread of flu in France every year since 1984. Its director Jean-Marie Bonnet said: ?We are convinced that our figures are close to reality, allowing for a 20% margin of error.?

The organisation?s sums are based on a sample of 5,000 GPs and pediatricians who are asked to keep a tally of how many people come to them with swine flu symptoms. This figure is then multiplied to give a nationwide amount.

The figure is still much lower than the 500,000 cases a week of seasonal flu recorded during a typical winter, but Grog has warned that 20,000 a week could be ?a small ripple ahead of a much bigger wave?.

However the Institute of Public Health Surveillance has refused to endorse or confirm the numbers compiled by Grog. It has put the figure at 5,000 a week, but says the number of cases per week is definitely rising.

Since the rentr?e last week, six school classes in the south-west and the Ile-de-France have been closed after pupils presented flu symptoms - from an ?cole maternelle in the Seine-et-Marne through to a lyc?e in Narbonne in the Aude.

The World Health Organisation declared swine flu a global pandemic in mid-June. The disease has so far killed more than 2,800 people worldwide.

However, the death toll in mainland France remains low. A third death was confirmed at the weekend ? that of a 64-year-old man in the Vaucluse.

A nationwide voluntary vaccination programme is due to be rolled out next month. A survey by Sud Ouest Dimanche found 55% of people were planning to get the jab.