Particle.news
Download on the App Store

France’s Flu Epidemic Deepens With Sharp Rise in Cases Nationwide

Health officials press vaccination plus mask use, with H3N2 subclade K spreading without signs of higher virulence.

Overview

  • Santé publique France reports all mainland regions at epidemic level, with La Réunion in pre‑epidemic phase.
  • Influenza‑like illness consultations rose to 349 per 100,000 people for Dec. 15–21, up from 282 the prior week, and SOS Médecins estimates flu at 19.28% of visits.
  • The increase spans all ages but is most pronounced in children under 15, and hospitalizations after emergency visits have reached moderate intensity across age groups.
  • As of Nov. 30, vaccination coverage was 38.1% among targeted groups, 44.2% in those 65+, and 21.3% in at‑risk adults under 65, with 30% of vaccinated seniors receiving enhanced vaccines.
  • Virologists identify H3N2 subclade K as dominant with partial immune escape that raises transmissibility, and modeling suggests the epidemic peak could arrive within the next two weeks.