Enterovirus circulate all over the world. In temperate areas, like France, we observe each year, in the context of hospital surveillance, an increase in infections in enterovirus in summer and fall, dominated by benign meningitis. This increase can be observed in May but most often occurs in summer. The summer peak is usually observed in June/July and a second peak of lesser magnitude during the fall. If most of the infections in enterovirus do not generate or not symptoms, certain infections can be accompanied by severe damage, depending on age, immune status (deficit in humoral immunity) or the type of enterovirus. Thus, EV-A71 or EV-D68 infections can be accompanied by severe neurological damage.
Faced with the current epidemiological context marked since 2022 by an increase in enterovirus infections, Public Health France recalls, on the occasion of the publication of the 2024-2025 assessment, the vigilance to be brought by health professionals in front of severe clinical tables and essential hygiene rules to limit the transmission of viruses.
Towards a significant circulation of enterovirus this summer
The low circulation of enteroviruses (EV) observed since 2020 in France, in connection with the measures to combat the Pandemic of COVID-19, was maintained until 2022 with levels of neuro-mengual infections by EV very below those observed between 2016 and 2019. Since 2022, there is a gradual resumption of the circulation of enterovirus in France.
In 2024, the total number of EV infections reached 3,778 cases (against 2,339 cases in 2023) with a magnitude of the summer epidemic (2151 cases) close to that of the pre-Cavid-19 years (2720 cases on average between 2016 and 2019). The autumnal circulation peak has been much more marked and early than in previous years in connection with sustained circulation of the EV-D68, without recrudescence of the associated myelitis cases. In summer, the epidemic of meningitis, a neurological manifestation caused by infections in enterovirus (EV), was marked by a very short summer peak. The magnitude of this peak was similar to that observed in 2023 and during the years 2018-2019, with 2151 cases reported, against 1555 cases in 2023.
In 2025, the number of cases of EV infections declared to the Enterovirus Surveillance Network (CSR) on June 25, 2025 is still at a very low level compared to the year 2024, with a low number of meningitis compared to previous years (121 cases against 1030 cases in 2024 for the first half). This number is most likely underestimated due to the late start of the epidemic season (mid-June) and a declaration of the case of EV infections by CSR.
On the other hand, the number of emergency passes and hospitalizations for viral meningitis reported by the Oscour network appears to be increasing since the last week of May to a level lower than that of 2024 but similar to the pre-Cavid-19 years. This could indicate a summer peak expected in the coming weeks.
Vigilance therefore remains in order this summer 2025 before the current resurgence of cases of EV infections and viral meningitis, especially among very young children.
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Enterovirus infections in France. 2024 assessment and provisional assessment 2025.
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What are the recommendations for healthcare professionals?
Faced with the dynamics of the circulation of enteroviruses currently increasing, public health France and the CNR of enteroviruses and panes call health professionals to particular vigilance before severe clinical tables, in particular neurological, or in the immunocompromised person and before any severe neonatal infection for which an EV infection must be evoked and sought.
They recall the importance of taking withdrawals adapted to the search for the genome of the EV (LCS, blood, nasopharyngeal samples, stools) before any severe clinical picture. As such, any neonatal infection or severe neurological damage associated with an EV infection must be reported to the CNR, and samples must be sent to supplement virological investigations (sequencing in particular).
Public Health France recalls that symptomatic infections in enterovirus are frequent especially in children; They are most often benign but can lead in certain cases to severe neurological, respiratory, cardiac or digestive forms.
The strengthening of family hygiene rules and/or communities (hand washing, surface disinfection) is essential to limit the transmission of these viruses, especially to immunocompromised people and pregnant women.
In the event of infection in enterovirus, the treatment being only symptomatic, it is recalled that any antibiotic treatment is useless.