Last winter, the seasonal flu epidemic was moderate
Posted on September 9, 2008
Filed Under General |
The Institute of Health Surveillance (INVS) published a review of the influenza epidemic in France last winter. 2.1 million people have consulted their doctor for his symptoms between January 7 and March 9, 2008. The epidemic has been smaller than expected, since 4 million cases were expected. The INVS characterizes as “a flu epidemic moderate and mild.”The median age of cases reported was 27 years. According to estimates of network Sentinel, effective vaccine against the ILI was 72% in less than 65 years and 57% for over 65 years. The proportion of hospitalizations due to a general medical consultation for a flu remained low, less than 1%. The network of Ddass has identified 49 deaths related to influenza, a figure well below the warning level.
Since influenza is monitored, the largest epidemic winter was recorded in 1989/1990, with 4,620,000 cases, and lowest in 1990/1991 (700,000 cases).
People aged over 65 and / or suffering from chronic disease (diabetes, heart failure, immune deficiency, asthma, chronic bronchitis) will renew their vaccination against seasonal flu by a nurse, without need of medical prescription, according to a decree published in the Official Gazette Tuesday, September 2. Those at risk, for which the vaccine is strongly recommended, can still receive care at 100% of vaccine by health insurance.
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