The seasonal influenza epidemic has caused eight deaths in France since the start of November, compared to just four in the same period of 2015. According to the health authorities, this year’s outbreak arrived particularly early, posing problems for the elderly, especially those who had not been vaccinated.

In the local French region, PACA, two deaths have been attributed to “flu”. Over Christmas week, 2.6 percent of visits to accident and emergency services of local hospitals were “flu-related”. Of the total of 761 visits, 169 resulted in hospital admissions.

One of several types of distinct viruses, H3N2, is particularly dangerous for the over 65s, according to one local health official.

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