Normandy Declares Bronchiolitis Epidemic as france Braces for Nationwide Surge
Normandy is the first region in France to officially declare a bronchiolitis epidemic, triggering activation of a dedicated care network for infants experiencing breathing difficulties. The announcement signals a perhaps widespread outbreak of the highly contagious respiratory virus, typically affecting children under two years old, as winter temperatures descend across the country.
Bronchiolitis, primarily caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), inflames the small airways of infants, leading to symptoms like persistent cough, rapid breathing, and characteristic whistling sounds. While often benign, it remains a leading cause of hospitalization for babies under one year old, prompting heightened vigilance from health authorities. Approximately 30% of children under two contract bronchiolitis annually between October and March.
A proactive immunization campaign launched September 1st, 2025, aims to mitigate the severity of the outbreak. The campaign offers two preventative measures: vaccination for pregnant women to provide newborns with direct protection, and monoclonal antibody injections for infants, offering effectiveness throughout the winter season. These efforts are designed to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Specialists predict bronchiolitis coudl quickly spread across France, with several regions already showing increasing cases. Health authorities are preparing for a peak in infections during December, driven by colder weather creating favorable conditions for the virus’s transmission. Infants experiencing respiratory distress should be directed to the bronchiolitis network; a dedicated phone number is available for connecting with a on-call pediatrician.
