First flu cases in Berlin and Brandenburg

In Berlin and Brandenburg, the first cases of "real" flu (influenza) have become known. However, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), these are still isolated cases. However, as the flu epidemic has in most cases only started in January last year and lasted three to four months, a significant increase can be expected in the coming weeks. According to the State Office for Health and Social Affairs, between the beginning of October 2014 and the end of March 2015, a total of 2,825 cases were reported in Berlin last year.

First flu cases in Berlin. Image: Stasique - fotolia

Contagion risk in the city particularly high
The flu season 2015/2016 starts slowly. As the Working Group on Influenza (AGI) informs, the first clinical laboratory-confirmed influenza cases have been transmitted to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) throughout Germany. The first flu illnesses were also registered in Berlin and Brandenburg, but so far these have been isolated cases. Nevertheless, the risk of infection in the city, where people are pushing, higher than in the country, said physician Caroline Isner from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Charité to the news agency "dpa".

Accordingly, on the advice of the RKI, for example, care should be taken to maintain a certain distance from persons with symptoms of acute respiratory disease. Likewise, regular, thorough hand washing could reduce the risk of infection.

STIKO recommends vaccination against influenza for at-risk groups
In contrast to a flu infection or a cold, the "true" flu is a serious illness that is characterized by a sudden high fever, chills, sweats, headache, sore throat and dry cough. The viruses are transmitted by droplet infection and can be particularly dangerous for the elderly, for example, if there is a cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination in particular for people over 60, but also the chronically ill, residents of retirement or care homes and women who are pregnant during the influenza season. (No)