France: Parvovirus B19 epidemic kills 10
France: Parvovirus B19 epidemic kills 10
French health authorities report an epidemic of infections caused by Parvovirus B19 (B19V) affecting all age groups and particularly children began in May 2023. Its intensity increased in the last quarter of 2023 and reached its peak in March 2024.
This epidemic was characterized by a high incidence of B19V infections documented by different data sources. A survey of hospital virology laboratories conducted in April 2024 showed an increase in maternal-fetal infections in 2023 and 2024, confirming the impact of this epidemic on pregnant women.
Surveillance has shown a decline in all routinely monitored epidemiological indicators since April: decline in the number of positive B19V serologies and the positivity rate; decline in the number of emergency department visits and outpatient consultations for B19V infection. At the end of September 2024, the monthly incidence of B19V infections was very close to that of the pre-epidemic period (171 positive B19V IgM in September 2024 versus 188 in September 2019). The positivity rate of 8% in September 2024 (4% in September 2019) had been steadily declining since March 2024 (20%).
As of September 30, 2024, the number of deaths linked to B19V infection was 10 since January 1.
Six deaths occurred in children, including five between January and April (these 5 deaths affected children under one year old, including 4 newborns following congenital infection).
The four adult deaths occurred between April and August. This number of 10 deaths is higher than the average of 1.8/year in the pre-Covid-19 pandemic period when deaths mainly affected adults.