Germany Faces Severe Respiratory Illness Surge with Flu Leading Cases

Over eight million people are currently battling respiratory infections, with influenza as the dominant virus, while experts emphasize prevention and testing challenges.

• The Robert Koch Institute reports approximately eight million active cases of acute respiratory infections in Germany, surpassing figures from recent years.
• Influenza viruses account for over half of the cases, with smaller contributions from RSV and SARS-CoV-2, as confirmed by laboratory analyses and wastewater monitoring.
• Experts recommend preventive measures such as vaccination, proper hygiene, mask-wearing in crowded spaces, and avoiding close contact when symptomatic.
• Demand for combination rapid tests for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 has risen, but experts caution about their limited sensitivity, particularly for RSV detection.
• Severe flu cases requiring hospitalization are three times higher than in previous years, highlighting the strain on healthcare resources.

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