11/30/2022 11:15 (act. 11/30/2022 11:47)
There has been a massive increase in influenza virus detections in Austria since the beginning of the week. ©APA (Subject)
The flu wave in Austria started much earlier than usual this year. Influenza virus detections have increased massively since the beginning of the week.
The flu wave has begun – and as expected by experts, earlier than usual. Flu outbreaks in our region usually start in December or early January, peaking in February.
Since the beginning of this week, “a massive increase in influenza virus detections has been observed in clinical samples from all over Germany,” said MedUni Vienna late on Tuesday. “This signals the beginning of the flu epidemic in Austria.”
Flu wave reached Austria earlier than usual
In recent weeks, an increase in flu activity has already been observed throughout Austria, explained MedUni’s Center for Virology on its website. The joint estimate of influenza and flu-like illnesses by the Food Safety and Health Agency (AGES) now also shows a further increase in the number of new cases.
“Massive increase” in influenza virus detections
Currently, influenza A viruses are mostly circulating, the Center for Virology reported. They correspond to the virus strains contained in influenza vaccines, which is why vaccination was still recommended.
Germany, Kazakhstan, Malta, Romania and Scotland are already reporting widespread influenza virus activity, MedUni explained. In France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Scotland, the positivity rate in submitted samples was greater than ten percent. This corresponds to an epidemic circulation, i.e. also a flu wave.