The flu wave rolls over Germany, the number of Influenza-Infected increased at the end of January. In Bavaria, there are already more Diseased than a year ago. All of the developments for the flu season in the News-Ticker of FOCUS Online.
Number of Influenza-has doubled in the Diseased in a week
Thursday, 6. February: The flu wave rolls over Germany. The Influenza activity in the fourth calendar week of the normal, increased the activity at the end of January in many regions is greatly increased. Especially in the West, Bavaria, and Saxony, the focal points of the current wave of Infection according to the map of the Robert Koch-Institute. https://influenza.rki.de/ activity in acute respiratory diseases for 05/2020 according to RKI
In the last week of January, have been registered according to RKI 14.168 Influenza cases in Germany, almost twice as many as in the previous week.
Since the beginning of the influenza season, 57 people died of Influenza, the influenza wave has started in Germany in the second week of January.
Health insurance continues to recommend vaccination against Influenza
Wednesday, 5. February: In Germany develop since the middle of January, more and more people to the flu. The Robert Koch Institute in this season has already registered almost 21,000 of Influenza Sufferers, 7,000 of whom were Affected alone in the fourth week of January. Against this Background, the Barmer advises the Insured with a risk for a particularly severe course of the disease, to lose no more time, and can still be vaccinated.
"In view of the Coronavirus, the influenza has become a public something in the Background. It should not be forgotten that the Influenza in Germany calls every year deaths. People who have a day with lots of people contact, the elderly, the chronically Ill and Pregnant women, the vaccination should now nachholen", Ursula Marschall, senior Physician at Barmer says. About ten to 14 days it takes until after the vaccination, the protection completely in the body to be built up. The Standing Committee on vaccination recommend October and November for the flu vaccination. However, a late vaccination will remain still the most effective protection against Influenza, so Marshal. Finally, a wave of Flu could drag on until April or may.
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Three schools closed due to flu
Tuesday, 4. February: The number of cases of viral flu (Influenza) is superimposed by the discussion of the Coronavirus last week in Bavaria, has also soared. The state office for health and food safety in Erlangen, filed for the fourth calendar week in 2020 in the seven government districts of the free state of 2205 cases of influenza – half of them in upper Bavaria. In the previous week, only 1184 cases of influenza were reported in the second calendar week even only 592 and in the first week of the year only 277. In the first four weeks of the year, it came in Bavaria, according to the figures, in order to 4258 cases of Influenza. Almost 1400 cases more than a year ago. At the time, Bayern were ill far 2846 people to the flu. For influenza viruses, especially the elderly and children are vulnerable. At least three schools were closed in Bavaria this year because of the increasing number of flu cases already temporarily
Flu-dead in Berlin
Monday, 3. February: The flu-wave in Berlin rolls out: The number of proven cases of this season on more than 1000 rose – a man died of the consequences of the virus infection. This is from the weekly report of the state office for health and social Affairs (Lageso). Accordingly, the 329 Influenza cases have been alone in the last reporting week. Most grass the flu authenticates the message according to the figures so far in the case of children up to the age of four years. Of the districts of Pankow is particularly affected.
The reported cases show only a snippet of the actual events: According to estimates by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) to be inserted in the course of flu outbreaks, 5 to 20 percent of the population. The real, from the influenza virus induced flu usually starts suddenly. Include typical symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, as well as in the limbs and headache. In addition to mild gradients also complications are possible, such as with pneumonia.
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Numbers of the RKI show: next-to-last Influenza season was the deadliest in 30 years
Thursday, 14. November, 11: 29 PM: With a harmless common cold, the flu does not compare the latest Numbers for the second-to-last season is impressive.
Around 25.100 people in Germany cost the exceptionally strong flu wave 2017/18 life, such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported on Monday. The cases, the highest number of deaths in the past 30 years, said RKI President Lothar Wieler. There is also seasonal waves with a few Hundred deaths. A comparison value according to the RKI, “moderate” wave 2018/19 is not yet available. The current season could not yet assess.
Risk of infection in hospital staff vaccinated insufficient
Monday, 4. November, 10.48 PM: According to a survey conducted by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) protect employees of numerous German hospitals to a little in front of the flu Virus. Therefore 2018/19 only good half of the Employees (52 per cent) against Influenza in the season vaccinated, as the current "Epidemiological Bulletin" the RKI in Berlin shows. In the survey of 171 clinics with over 27 000 employees.
The ratio increased in comparison to the two previous seasons (around 39 percent), although significantly, but according to the Institute still too low. The value is grown, is justified by the severe wave of Flu in the Winter before, and the first generally recommended quadruple vaccine. Overall, significantly more Doctors according to the survey, as nurses to vaccinate. What speaks against it? "While the medical Profession performed mainly for organizational reasons, defendant the nursing staff a total of more lack of confidence in the Impfung", writes the RKI.
To whom is the flu vaccine?
Medical staff is recommended the flu vaccination, because there is an increased infection through contact with many Diseased self-risk and at the same time a source of infection for the sensitive patient. Also people over 60, the chronically ill and Pregnant women, it is recommended the vaccination. On the basis of data from seven Federal States and the RKI, however, in the case of the elderly, and the chronically ill to little Vaccinated. The General vaccination rates vary depending on the County and state strong.
Currently, the flu season is still at the beginning, it will be primarily proven cold viruses. The number of real, proven cases of influenza is 61. The number of unreported cases is very high. The flu provides estimates for millions of doctor visits.
Flu season in Germany has begun
Monday, 28. October 2019, 13.01 PM: The flu season in Germany has begun. In North Rhine-Westphalia, 19 infection cases have been reported, also in Saxony, 16 cases were registered. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) speaks for the calendar week 42 of in Germany, 96 cases.
In comparison to last year, the number was higher, said the spokesman of the centre for health North Rhine-Westphalia, Melanie Pothmann. But from the currently reported infections, no conclusion for the further development could be derived, she said. "We see that the first cases are reported. It’s happening now with the Influenza."
Also, the Ministry of health spoke of a "normal for the Season Niveau". Nationwide, no evidence of increased Influenza activity were at the moment.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is currently in Germany, cold time. The feedback from the citizens on the RKI web portal "GrippeWeb" according to has reported, within four weeks, every Fourth is a new incidences of respiratory disease. "This is not so little, but for this time of year completely normal", RKI spokeswoman Susanne Glasmacher said. A representative statement for the individual länder on these data, it was not possible.
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Influenza – what you should know
Second-to-last flu wave was the deadliest in 30 years
With a harmless common cold, the flu can not compare the latest Numbers for the second-to-last season is impressive. Around 25.100 people in Germany cost the exceptionally strong flu wave 2017/18 life, such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported. The cases, the highest number of deaths in the past 30 years, said RKI President Lothar Wieler.
The flu season comes the information in accordance with the 40. Calendar week of a year and ends between the 15. and 20. Calendar week of the following year. The climax of the flu wave reaches usually after the new year.
Virus is transmitted by droplet infection
The Influenza Virus can be transmitted by tiny droplets, when Sneezing. Scientists distinguish several types of Virus, for people particularly relevant in the seasonally occurring Influenza A and B viruses.
The flu often starts suddenly. Include typical symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, limbs and headaches and a General feeling of illness.
Flu wave classified in the past year, as moderate
In comparison to the heavy penultimate wave of Influenza experts to assess the past season as moderate, such as RKI-expert Silke Buda said. "It was mild, because there were also severe cases." According to the new Influenza-report of the RKI, the shaft made 3.8 million visits to the doctor – less than half as much as 2017/18. 40,000 people came to the hospital, Buda, according to, in many cases, with acute respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia. Overall, the Institute of October registered until mid-may of 182,000 laboratory diagnosis confirmed flu cases. Were affected all age groups.
Striking was that both Influenza A subtypes (H1N1 and H3N2) that circulated more or less equal proportions. "There is no Influenza B viruses unterwegs" were almost;, Buda said. The strong wave of 2017/18 had been triggered in large part by Influenza B viruses (Yamagata line).
Vaccination for certain groups of people recommended
People over the age of 60. Age is generally advised to get vaccinated against influenza. The recommendation also applies to professionals who come into contact with many people, such as for medical and nursing staff. The Standing Committee on vaccination recommend the influenza vaccination for Pregnant women and the chronically Ill as well as for nursing home residents and people with an increased risk of infection due to direct contact with poultry and wild birds. For these Insured the cost for the flu would be applied vaccination.
"Also, after a comparison of a moderate flu season in the past year, in contrast to the Vorsaisons the importance of a vaccination is not wise enough to betonen", the Vice-President of the state chamber of physicians, Dr. Michael Fink said. "Life is much safer for those who get vaccinated!"