The corona pandemic is apparently slowing down another severe flu epidemic. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health warns of influenza: the danger has not yet been averted.
There has been no flu epidemic in Baden-Württemberg in recent weeks, despite slightly increasing numbers. From the beginning of October to mid-January (end of the 2nd reporting week), only 158 influenza cases were reported to the state health department. The year before, the number of registered cases in the same period was only 43 diseases, the Ministry of Health announced.
The numbers are significantly lower than in previous years. In winter 2019/20, 973 cases were already registered in the above-mentioned period. The flu season, which begins in October and lasts through spring, according to the Department of Health, usually peaks in February and March. Two years ago, more than 12,000 influenza cases were reported between mid-January and the second half of February.
Lucha: “The flu virus is a serious illness”
It is still unclear whether the numbers will shoot up again this year. Last year, only five cases were reported between mid-January and the second half of February. Nevertheless, the Baden-Württemberg Health Minister Manfred Lucha (Greens) warns of the consequences of the flu.
“Influenza is also on the rise in Baden-Württemberg.”
Even if the corona pandemic almost completely supplanted the flu virus last winter, the topic should not be taken out of the public spotlight. “A real viral flu is not a simple cold, but a serious illness,” said Lucha, “especially in older people, there is also a risk of severe courses if they contract influenza.”
Influenza vaccination still useful
A vaccination against the flu virus is therefore still useful, especially for older people, the minister continued. He emphasized that the vaccine is widely available.
As early as autumn, the minister was concerned that people were not taking the flu seriously enough due to the corona pandemic and that too few were getting vaccinated against the flu virus. He therefore appealed to the population to also take the flu vaccination. According to the current recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO), it is also possible to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and flu at the same time.
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That’s why there are fewer flu cases this year
According to medical experts, the reason for the small number of cases of influenza in this and last season is primarily the hygiene measures and contact restrictions to contain the corona pandemic. Influenza diseases must be reported to the state health department if the virus has been detected in the laboratory.
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