WAVE OF COLDS - Corona, RSV and influenza: these graphics show who is currently ill
According to the RKI weekly report on the situation of acute respiratory diseases in Germany, there is no sign of the current wave of colds slowing down before the holidays. The activity of acute respiratory diseases (ARE) in the population increased in the 49 calendar week (4.12. to 10.12.2023) compared to the previous week overall and in all age groups.
The high ARE activity is due to the high number of COVID-19 cases and the colds caused by rhinovirus infections that are typical for the time of year. As the RKI already announced last week, RSV activity is also increasing at an alarming rate. This RSV wave is also continuing this week. Children under the age of two are particularly affected by hospitalization with RSV infection.
According to the RKI, influenza activity is also increasing in the 49th calendar week. However, it is not yet possible to speak of a flu epidemic. So far, it is mainly school-age children and young adults who are affected.
Increased activity of acute respiratory diseases in all age groups
The activity of acute respiratory diseases in the population was around 9500 ARE per 100,000 inhabitants in week 49, 2023. In the previous week, the incidence was 8300 ARE per 100,000 inhabitants. The figures increased in all age groups compared to the previous week. The figures rose particularly sharply in adults over the age of 15.
The current ARE incidence corresponds to a total number of around 7.9 million acute respiratory diseases in the German population, regardless of whether they have visited a doctor.
The figure shows the development of the incidence of acute respiratory diseases in Germany by age group. The curves show an increase in the number of cases among children up to 14 years of age, young adults (15-34 years), middle-aged adults (35-59) and the older population aged 60 and over compared to the previous week.
Activity of influenza-like illnesses in children has fallen
The second chart shows the incidence of influenza-like illness in the same five age groups since the middle of the year.
After the ILI incidence in children under 14 years of age rose significantly at the beginning of November, the situation has recovered somewhat. As in the previous week, the incidence in the youngest age group fell slightly. Among younger adults, however, the incidence of flu-like illnesses rose again this week. Last week, the RKI was still able to record a decline. The incidence in the population over the age of 60 also continued to rise this week.
Particularly high incidences in western and eastern Germany
The RKI is also investigating the incidence of acute respiratory diseases in various regions of Germany. For this purpose, the 16 federal states are divided into four major regions. The graph below shows the incidences for these four parts of Germany. Move your mouse or finger over the map to see the incidence in your region of residence.
The current wave of colds is mainly spreading in the west and east of Germany. The incidence in the central region, which includes the federal states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, is 10,166. In eastern Germany, however, the incidence was only slightly lower at 10,065.
According to the RKI, the incidence of acute respiratory diseases was lowest in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg (8,288). In the four Nordic states of Bremen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, the incidence was 9317.
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- The current wave of respiratory illnesses, including Coronavirus (COVID-19), RSV, and Flu, is causing concern in Germany, as indicated by the RKI's weekly report.
- The high incidence of acute respiratory diseases (ARE) is not showing any signs of slowing down before the holidays, with COVID-19 cases and typical colds caused by rhinovirus infections contributing to the rise.
- The Respiratory Disease Control Center (RKI) has reported an alarming increase in RSV activity, and this trend is continuing, with children under the age of two being particularly affected by hospitalizations due to RSV infection.
- While influenza activity is also increasing, according to the RKI, it has not yet reached epidemic levels. School-age children and young adults are primarily affected, with the incidence of influenza-like illnesses continuing to rise.
- With the wave of colds spreading mainly in western and eastern Germany, the RKI is monitoring the situation in various regions of the country, warning that COVID-19, RSV, and Flu are currently among the top news headlines in Germany.
Source: www.stern.de
