Since the start of the year, France, like other European countries, has been affected by an increase in parvovirus B19 infections, reports “Le Parisien”, Tuesday April 23. This epidemic, which particularly affects children, has caused the loss of five babies’ lives.
It is an infection that has been gaining ground in France since the start of 2024. As reported The Parisian, Tuesday April 23, Public Health France reported an alarming increase in cases of parvovirus B19 in the country in recent months, having caused the death of five babies. “An epidemic of parvovirus B19 infections is currently affecting France, having started in May 2023 and affecting all age categories and in particular children.“, specified the institute in a report published Monday April 22. “The epidemic peak of the 2023-2024 season is likely not yet reached with data showing incidences 2 to 3 times higher than those of the last pre-pandemic season“, further alerts Public Health France.
Part of the parvoviridae family, parvovirus is transmitted most of the time by the respiratory route. Affected individuals are usually asymptomatic, but may experience erythema infectiosum, particularly in children. Called the “fifth disease” and being one of the five viral infections – measles, rubella, chickenpox and roseola – erythema infectiosum can cause a skin rash in children. Immunocompromised people and those with chronic anemia are particularly at risk, also recalls Santé public France They can encounter serious forms, especially for pregnant women because they are more likely to suffer from miscarriages or transmit the virus to their fetus.
An increase the number of cases due to the Covid-19 pandemic?
As Public Health France explains, this resurgence could be explained by a “exposure deficit” to parvovirus B19 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Clearly, having been less exposed to this pathogen due to barrier gestures and the restrictions imposed, the population would now be more likely to catch it. As the institute notes, other countries such as Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Israel are also experiencing an increase in parvovirus B19 infections.the reasons for this epidemic are not clearly established“, indicate the health authorities.
published on April 24 at 7:05 a.m., Quentin Marchal, 6Medias