Respiratory Illnesses in North Rhine-Westphalia: Update
DÜSSELDORF – May 17, 2024 – A recent report from the Robert Koch Institute details the ongoing impact of various respiratory illnesses in North Rhine-Westphalia. The data reveals current trends in COVID-19, influenza, and RSV cases, as well as acute respiratory diseases and influenza-like illnesses. This extensive look at the region’s health situation allows for better understanding of the latest trends in respiratory illnesses and their impact, offering valuable facts for healthcare professionals and the public. Further analysis is needed to interpret these changes.
Respiratory Illness Update: Tracking Corona, Flu, RSV, and More in North Rhine-Westphalia
Respiratory illnesses continue too impact North Rhine-Westphalia, wiht doctors distinguishing between acute respiratory diseases, influenza-like illnesses, the “real” flu (influenza), colds, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the coronavirus (SARS-cov-2).The latest regional data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) provides insights into the prevalence of these diseases.
Corona in North Rhine-Westphalia: Lingering Presence
Even post-pandemic, COVID-19 remains a concern. The illness, caused by SARS-CoV-2, can manifest as fever, coughing, and breathing difficulties. Last week,North Rhine-Westphalia reported 68 new cases. The highest 7-day incidence, 1.5, was observed in the over-80 age group. As of May 15, 2025, the overall 7-day incidence in North Rhine-Westphalia stands at 0.4 per 100,000 inhabitants.As the pandemic’s onset, the region has recorded 8,206,924 laboratory-confirmed cases.
Did you know? The 7-day incidence rate is calculated by dividing the number of new cases in the last seven days by the population size and multiplying by 100,000. this provides a standardized measure for comparing infection rates across different regions and time periods.
| Age Group | 7-Day Incidence | New Cases Last 7 Days | Total Corona Cases in NRW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00-04 | 0.3 | 3 | 218,510 |
| 05-14 | 0.2 | 4 | 905,003 |
| 15-34 | 0.2 | 9 | 2,431,230 |
| 35-59 | 0.2 | 15 | 3,148,333 |
| 60-79 | 0.5 | 18 | 1,115,017 |
| 80+ | 1.5 | 19 | 383,255 |
| 00+ | 0.4 | 68 | 8,206,924 |
Influenza Update: 51 New Cases Reported
The “real” flu, or influenza, caused by the influenza virus, often presents with a sudden onset, high fever, and body aches. In calendar week 19, North Rhine-Westphalia registered 51 new flu cases, resulting in an incidence of 0.28.
| Age Group | New Flu Cases Last Week | Influenza Incidence in NRW |
|---|---|---|
| 00-14 | 13 | 0.5 |
| 15-59 | 19 | 0.18 |
| 60+ | 19 | 0.36 |
| 00+ | 51 | 0.28 |
Acute respiratory Diseases and Influenza-Like Illnesses: Regional Overview
Beyond influenza, health officials monitor acute respiratory diseases (ARE) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI). According to the Robert Koch Institute, ARE encompasses new respiratory illnesses with sore throat, cough, or fever. ILI, a subset of ARE, requires both cough or sore throat and fever.
Pro Tip: Differentiating between ARE and ILI can help healthcare providers better understand the spectrum of respiratory illnesses circulating in the community and allocate resources effectively.
the following data represents ARE and ILI figures for the German Grand Region (West), including North rhine-Westphalia, compared to the national average for calendar week 19.
| KW 19/2025 | Region Mitte (West) | Germany Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory Diseases per 100,000 | 4,800 (Previous Week: 3,300) | 4,700 |
| Flu-Like Diseases per 100,000 | 900 (Previous Week: 600) | 800 |
The estimated weekly incidence of ARE in the Mitte (West) region is 4,800 per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 3,300 the previous week and exceeding the national average of 4,700.ILI incidence is estimated at 900 per 100,000, also an increase from the previous week’s 600 and above the national average of 800.
These estimates are based on self-reported data from participants in the RKI-Online-Portal Grippweb. In calendar week 19,3,156 participants from the Mitte (West) region and 8,984 nationwide provided data.These figures are based on self-disclosure and are not laboratory-confirmed.
RSV trends: Incidence Declining
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a global pathogen affecting all ages, with infants, premature babies, toddlers, and older adults at higher risk of severe illness. In calendar week 20, North Rhine-Westphalia reported 11 new RSV cases, a decrease of 88 from the previous week. The current RSV incidence is 0.06 laboratory-confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
The peak RSV incidence for the year occurred in calendar week 09/2025, with 1,051 new cases, translating to an incidence of 5.79 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
| Calendar Week | New RSV Cases | RSV Incidence in NRW |
|---|---|---|
| 20/2025 | 11 | 0.06 |
| 19/2025 | 99 | 0.55 |
| 18/2025 | 113 | 0.62 |
| 17/2025 | 230 | 1.27 |
| 16/2025 | 258 | 1.42 |
