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France: Respiratory Infection Activity at Baseline in Week 41
SARS-CoV-2 is circulating across France while other acute respiratory infection indicators remain at their baseline levels, according to data published on October 14, 2026, by Santé publique France and reported by MesVaccins.
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- SARS-CoV-2 and rhinovirus are driving acute respiratory infection activity in communities and hospitals.
- Seasonal influenza indicators remain at baseline across all mainland age groups and regions.
- Influenza and bronchiolitis epidemics are currently localized or absent in mainland France, contrasting with ongoing activity in French overseas territories.
Baseline Respiratory Activity with SARS-CoV-2 Circulation
During week 41, spanning from October 5 to October 11, 2026, overall acute respiratory infection activity held at baseline levels in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Santé publique France reported that rhinovirus and SARS-CoV-2 drove most of this baseline activity, alongside lower contributions from influenza viruses. Syndromic indicators for Covid-19 showed a slight upward drift in community practice while remaining stable at hospitals, though overall metrics stayed lower than those recorded during the same period last year.
Influenza epidemics hit La Réunion and Mayotte
Seasonal influenza indicators stayed at baseline across every mainland region and age group during week 41. Overseas territories experienced a different trajectory. La Réunion entered a influenza epidemic during week 35, running from August 24 to August 30, driven predominantly by the A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. Mayotte observed active circulation of the same subtype for several weeks, entering a pre-epidemic influenza phase in week 38. Meanwhile, syndromic indicators for bronchiolitis and respiratory syncytial virus remained at baseline across all French regions during week 41.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.