Germany Faces Severe Flu Season with Record Cases in Children

The current influenza wave has led to a surge in severe cases, particularly among school-aged children, with hospitals and schools heavily impacted.

Around 8 million people in Germany are currently affected by acute respiratory illnesses, with influenza being the dominant cause.
School-aged children are disproportionately impacted, with nearly one in six experiencing acute respiratory symptoms; hospitalizations among this group have more than tripled compared to previous flu seasons.
Regions like Berlin, Saxony, and Thuringia report record-high flu cases, with some areas seeing a 70% weekly increase in infections.
Kombi-Schnelltests for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 are in high demand, though their reliability varies, particularly for RSV detection.
Health experts recommend vaccination, proper hygiene practices, and the use of masks in crowded spaces to mitigate the spread of the virus.