The flu season in Germany has begun, and the first cases of infection with Influenza have already been reported. How hard the flu wave will be this Winter, can not yet be predicted. All of the developments for the flu season in the News-Ticker of FOCUS Online.
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!"
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