Stomach flu cases surge in france: six regions particularly affected

THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL AND GP VISITS FOR SEASONAL GASTROENTERITIS IS ALMOST AT RECORD LEVELS, SAY HEALTH CHIEFS A rise in the seasonal outbreak of stomach flu has been detected by the French

health monitoring service Santé Publique France, with cases approaching historic maximum levels. Children under five are particularly affected. Stomach flu, or acute gastroenteritis, which

causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is a viral condition that is particularly common during winter. The condition is caused by rotavirus and norovirus strains. Typically, the number of cases

spike in early January, however an official health report released on March 20 reveals a sharp rise in the number of GP and hospital visits in the past three weeks. The rise follows a

relatively benign season for gastroenteritis in which the number of cases seen by GPs has been lower than average. While the virus is present throughout the country, six regions in the north

of France are particularly affected, recording more hospital visits, namely Brittany, Normandy, Ile-de France, Grand Est, Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire. Children under 5 also are reported

to be more affected by the condition, accounting for 11.3% of all GP visits, against 8.8% for people of all ages. HOW TO MANAGE STOMACH FLU The condition is not dangerous for adults, but can

be for infants. To avoid it, Santé Publique France advises people to wash their hands frequently with soap and water or a hydro-alcoholic product. Rotaviruses and noroviruses can be highly

resistant, and all surfaces should be cleaned regularly. Two vaccines have been shown to be highly effective against rotaviruses, which cause around half of stomach flu cases. However,

vaccination is recommended only for young children and infants from 2 months of age. If you start feeling ill with symptoms of diarrhoea, the health service advises rehydrating early with

ORS hydration tablets.