Wave of RSV-related respiratory diseases has begun
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the wave of RSV-related respiratory diseases has started in Germany. Its onset was retroactively dated to the week starting November 20, as shown in the weekly RKI report on acute respiratory diseases published on Wednesday evening. RSV is the abbreviation for respiratory syncytial virus.
"Children under the age of two are particularly affected by hospitalization with RSV infection," writes the RKI on the current situation. In addition, corona infections and colds caused by rhinoviruses are currently playing a particularly important role in Germany. Last week, the report recorded around 24,000 Covid infections confirmed by PCR test - slightly more than had been reported a week earlier. A flu epidemic is not yet in sight, but the trend of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases is increasing at a relatively low level.
Overall, the rate of acute respiratory illnesses in the population remains at a relatively high level compared to previous years: Around 8500 acute respiratory illnesses are thought to occur per 100,000 inhabitants, a slight decrease compared to the previous week. At the same time last year, however, the figure was more than 10,000. Fluctuations are common with respiratory diseases.
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The RKI assessment of the ongoing RSV-related respiratory disease wave suggests that children under two are at a high risk of hospitalization due to the infection. The wave, which started in Germany during the week of November 20, has contributed to an increase in acute respiratory diseases, with around 8500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, despite a slight decrease compared to the previous week.
Source: www.ntv.de
