It’s cold in Germany and many people are sick. This is not only due to Corona, but to several viruses that are currently circulating.
Kassel – The third winter in the corona pandemic has begun, but it is currently not the corona virus but several other viruses that are causing numerous cases of illness. The weekly report of the Influenza Working Group of the Robert Koch Institute shows weekly how the number of influenza infections is changing in Germany, but also which viruses are also in circulation and cause so-called acute respiratory diseases (ARE).
In calendar week 48 (November 28 to December 4, 2022), four viruses in particular shaped the course of the disease in Germany: flu viruses (influenza), the RS virus, rhinoviruses and the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus.
RS virus makes especially small children sick
Influenza viruses and the RS virus in particular are currently causing problems for people in Germany. The RS virus has been causing a continuous increase in cases of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in children aged 0 to 4 years, according to the report of the Influenza Working Group. The number of cases in the 48th calendar week “was significantly higher than in previous years and is currently above the level observed so far at the peak of strong RSV waves,” write the authors of the report.
Numerous children’s hospitals in Germany are currently in a state of emergency because of the RS virus. According to the RKI, 61 percent of 0- to 4-year-old children who came to the hospital with severe acute respiratory infections received an RSV diagnosis. According to the institute, the RSV wave began in the 41st calendar week (10th to 16th October 2022).
Nine percent of all people admitted to hospital in week 48 with severe acute respiratory infections received a corona diagnosis, the report further shows. Particularly affected by this: the age groups from 60 years. The proportion of influenza diagnoses is 18 percent and is distributed across all age groups – the number of influenza cases has risen sharply, especially among children under the age of 5.
Influenza viruses cause the real flu
After the flu epidemic had practically failed in the past two years – among other things due to the corona mask requirement and hygiene measures – it started very early this year. The RKI dates the start of the flu epidemic to the 43rd calendar week (24th to 30th October 2022). According to the Epidemiological Bulletin of the RKI, there were 29,666 flu infections in the 48th calendar week – and the trend continues to rise.
Anyone who becomes infected with influenza viruses can contract severe flu, which can also be fatal in people at risk (such as the elderly or those with a weakened immune system). The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) therefore recommends an annual flu vaccination for these groups of people. Rhinoviruses are currently also circulating in Germany, but compared to influenza and the RS virus, they are currently hardly widespread. The rhinovirus triggers influenza infections, but currently only plays a minor role. (tab)
