Caen virologist Astrid Vabret worried about the return of viruses “that we have seen little for 20 months”
Prof. Astrid Vabret, Head of virology department of Caen University Hospital, was the invitation of France-Blue. As part of the Fête de la science, of which she is the ambassador in Normandy, she participates in a round table on microbes and their relations with the human body this Friday evening (7 p.m.) at the Pierre Daure amphitheater in the University of Caen. “Germs in general are part of our life. They are everywhere in the environment. They are inside our organism. So most microbes are favorable. Obviously there are some that make us sick. “
And it is precisely these, when the summer is over and the fall has started that worries the specialists. Because our health habits have changed with the coronavirus pandemic, in particular by wearing the mask and respecting barrier gestures. “We saw that it was effective, emphasizes Astrid Vabret. It allowed us to fight against this emerging virus that was the Covid-19. There was a kind of stop in the circulation of the usual viruses. We had no influenza detection last year in our region, nor in France. There was a small outbreak of staggered bronchiolitis last March. And what we fear a little is a little a comeback of viruses that we haven’t seen for about 20 months. And we have to see viruses regularly to strengthen our immunity. ”
Threat to the hospital system
The resurgence of seasonal viruses will have consequences for the hospital. “It can put new strain on the hospital system, which is still tired, in particular because it is necessary to make up for the accumulated delay due to the health crisis. A sort of collateral damage from the Covid. We fear an influx of patients. But we don’t know when will this happen, wonders the Caen virologist. We are starting to detect some influenza viruses in France. On a few in Normandy. We are therefore impatiently awaiting the influenza vaccine which will arrive at the end of October and which will have to be widely used. “
A vaccination advocated by Astrid Vabret for the population at large, both older and younger. The scientist also advises to keep the habits taken during the health crisis (wearing a mask and barrier gestures) for the winter period: “It will help us limit the number of infections and have a little smoother return to the circulation of all these viruses.”
Concern about measles
The measles virus is also a source of concern for Astrid Vabret who is also director of the National Reference Center for Measles, Rubella and Mumps Viruses. “Measles re-emergence halted by coronavirus pandemic. What we fear especially in countries where the virus circulates a lot, it is the vaccine gaps. That is to say the fact that many children have not been vaccinated because of the treatment of the Covid. And therefore, we also fear a little bit of a rebound in these diseases with vaccination coverage. And with all these vaccinations that could not be done in countries where it was more difficult to do them. “Even if measles has been the subject of a vaccination obligation since January 2018 in France., Mechanically, a better immunization coverage. “
Knight of the Legion of Honour
Astrid Vabret will receive the Legion of Honor this Friday at the University of Caen. “It is an honor to receive the Legion of Honor. I also receive it as part of the Covid promotion, as a recognition of my discipline, virology, which is a relatively discreet discipline. infectious disease specialist and therefore it’s recognition for my discipline, for my laboratory as well. “