The number of influenza diseases has reached a new climax in Germany. In third week of February, Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered around 24,000 cases. The focus is at moment in south and east of country. In second week of February re were still around 18,700 cases nationwide. In total, around 82,000 people have been shown to suffer from influenza in this flu season, Influenza Association shared. The dark digit is usually significantly higher, because no pathogen samples are analyzed by each patient.
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According to data, 136 people have been proven to have died after an influenza infection this season. They were predominantly older people who often had pre-conditions. The real number of deaths could be higher, said RKI spokesperson Susanne Glas maker. In case of bacterial pneumonia as a cause of death, flu pathogens could often not be proved as a cause, for example.
Predominantly, influenza viruses of type B remain. Initial doubts as to efficacy of triple vaccine paid by health insurance companies have not been confirmed according to RKI. “The efficacy of vaccine is currently 46 percent,” said Glass maker. This is not bad at usual range of fluctuations between 20 and 60 percent efficacy in influenza. The vaccine cannot meet a hundred percent. One reason for this is that it is put toger on basis of probabilities before start of flu season.
The RKI of flu compared to or years cannot be assessed in current season. The number of medical visits due to acute respiratory diseases is currently much higher, said glass makers. “But that alone is not yet exceptional,” she added. It still makes sense to get vaccinated against influenza now. “The construction of protection lasts two weeks. And n flu wave is not over yet. “
