Vienna Launches New Respiratory Virus Reference Centre to Enhance Pandemic Preparedness
VIENNA, October 7, 2025 – A new reference center dedicated to monitoring influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 has begun operations at the Medical University of Vienna, officials announced today.the center, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, aims to improve the prediction of infection waves and better prepare Austria’s healthcare system for peak demands.
The center will utilize “sentinel surveys,” analyzing weekly samples from patients exhibiting acute respiratory symptoms to identify pathogens and their variants,providing a precise assessment of disease spread. Data collected will integrate with existing surveillance systems,including the Diagnostic Influenza Network Austria (DINÖ) and the RSV network.
“Especially at the start of the flu season, it is important to be prepared,” stated State Secretary for Health Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig. “The new reference center provides objective and reliable data with which we can better predict waves of infection. If necessary, we can react more quickly and in a more targeted manner.”
Beyond immediate seasonal preparedness, the center focuses on long-term pandemic prevention by analyzing virus variants, disease patterns, and emerging respiratory viruses.It will also continually evaluate the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics. the center is part of a broader monitoring system encompassing wastewater analysis and the SARI dashboard, which tracks severe acute respiratory infections in austrian hospitals.
Officials emphasized the importance of a robust data foundation, citing lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, to enable timely planning of countermeasures like vaccination campaigns and therapy adjustments, ultimately reducing strain on medical personnel and ensuring security of supply.
The launch of the center was announced in connection with the “Vienna Today” program on ORF2-vienna.
