The wave of influenza seems to be rolling in earlier this year and could also be more severe than last time. Current infection numbers from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania suggest this. One more reason for Minister of Health Drese to get vaccinated.
Schwerin/Rostock (dpa/mv) – For Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, there is a significantly higher number of flu cases than in previous years. The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (Lagus) in Rostock counted 118 proven flu infections nationwide from the beginning of October to the beginning of November. In the four years before, there were between two and four cases in this period, said a spokeswoman for the German Press Agency in Schwerin. Now 46 cases were added in the 43rd calendar week at the end of October alone, most of which were reported from Rostock.
According to their information, proven influenza cases are statistically recorded separately from the beginning of October to mid-April, the usual flu season. As can also be seen from the data from the state office, significantly more people in the country have been visiting their family doctor for respiratory diseases this autumn. Although the curve has flattened out again recently, it still remained above the level of the past four years.
According to the reports from the doctors involved in the early warning system, there were around 2,720 doctor consultations per 100,000 inhabitants in the state in the last week of October for a cold, cough and fever, an above-average number in Rostock and Western Pomerania. Across the country, around 50 paediatricians and general practitioners regularly report anonymous data on the course of the disease to the state health department.
The growing trend of diseases is also reflected in data from the health insurance companies. An evaluation by the Barmer health insurance company showed that the number of sick leave due to respiratory diseases nationwide has recently risen sharply.
Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) took the increased spread of colds as an opportunity to urgently campaign for flu vaccination again. November is a good month for that. The vaccination is particularly recommended for people over 60 years of age, the chronically ill, residents of nursing and retirement homes and pregnant women from the second trimester of pregnancy with previous illnesses. “A flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from serious illnesses,” said Drese.
She pointed out that health experts expect a significantly higher number of flu sufferers this winter due to the decreasing immune protection and the easing of corona measures. Before Corona, the classic wave of flu regularly picked up speed in mid-January. “This year we already have the same situation as we usually did in January. That could speak for a stronger flu epidemic this year,” explained the minister.
