France is facing a severe flu epidemic as 2025 begins, with all regions, including Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, now under epidemic conditions. The sharp rise in severe cases has prompted Public Health France to issue a warning about the intensity of this flu season, which is more severe than in previous years. The latest figures show that nearly 4% of deaths in the final week of 2024 were attributed to influenza—double the rate from the week before.
Health authorities across France have been reporting a sharp rise in flu cases in recent weeks, particularly among young people and those over 65. Hospitalisations have surged, especially in the elderly population, putting additional strain on healthcare systems already overwhelmed by a bronchiolitis outbreak and other seasonal illnesses.
Contributing factors to the flu epidemic include low vaccination rates and increased social mixing during the holidays. The gradual return of school and work routines is likely to further contribute in the coming days and weeks.
Around 4% of deaths in the final week of 2024 have been linked to the influenza virus, twice as many as the week before.
The local infection rate and demand for emergency services have surpassed levels seen in recent years, with both Alpes-Maritimes and Var now declared epidemic zones, in line with the rest of the country.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a major epidemic,” Dr. Jean-Luc Leymarie, a general practitioner in France, told EuroNews.
Health authorities are urging vulnerable individuals to get flu shots before the campaign ends in January, though they have indicated they may extend it if the epidemic continues to worsen.
EUROPE-WIDE IMPACT
France’s crisis mirrors that of many other countries in Europe, which are facing similar challenges.
Across the continent, flu cases are spiking after the holiday season. In Spain, influenza B is the dominant strain, with cases climbing rapidly. Hungary has introduced stricter public health measures to curb the spread, while Romania’s health authorities recently reported over 4,100 flu cases in one week—almost double the number reported a week earlier.
As Europe continues to battle the epidemic, health experts stress the importance of vaccinations and timely medical intervention to reduce hospitalisations and fatalities in the coming weeks.
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