Influenza: 2 million people were affected

The flu epidemic, which affected metropolitan France 2130000 persons between January 7 and March 9, has been completed, according to the weekly report of the network Sentinels of Inserm, published yesterday. Last week, the average rate of influenza was 103 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, below the epidemic threshold (125 cas/100.000 inhabitants). The median age of seized was 27 years (half of the cases below this age and the other over). The flu has affected fewer men than women (sex ratio m / f 0.97). The observed rate of hospitalization was also low (0.1%). The vaccine has proved effective in 72% among those under 65 and 57% among those over 65. This year the effectiveness of the vaccine can be considered as good, especially among those over 65, compared to recent seasons efficiencies available, according to the network. "The epidemic is now over" has touched on 9 weeks (from Jan. 7 to March 9, 2008), 2130000 people.