Flu wave flu vaccine barely effective

Is Germany facing a particularly severe flu epidemic??

06/02/2015

Every year in Germany, large parts of the population get influenza (influenza), although the severity of the flu epidemic can vary considerably, reports the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Since the second calendar week of 2015, the RKI has recorded a sharp increase in reported flu cases. In particular, the south and southwest of Germany currently has significantly higher numbers of infections. The experts expect a particularly strong flu epidemic this year.

According to the RKI, according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), 2,420 clinically-confirmed diagnosed influenza cases have been transmitted to the RKI for the fifth reporting week 2015 and a total of nearly 5,700 confirmed flu cases have been reported since the 40th reporting week 2014. Thus, just under half of the illnesses were recorded in the last reporting week alone, which illustrates how the flu epidemic is currently gaining momentum. This may also be related to the vaccine used for vaccinations. Because this seems to fit less well on the virus types in circulation.

Flu vaccine only conditionally suitable?
The composition of the vaccine is only conditionally suitable for the currently circulating virus strains „NDR“. This is due to the fact that the vaccine contains different antigens against certain variants of the influenza viruses or their subtypes. Annually, the exact composition will be redefined, with sometimes the viruses that occur in the following season, less consistent with the antigens contained in the vaccine. Thus, the protective effect of the vaccine is quite variable. Nonetheless, the RKI recommends that the chronically ill, the elderly, and medical staff receive a flu vaccine. Although vaccinated people could fall ill, but the flu is usually milder with them, he says „NDR“ citing the information provided by the RKI.

Detection of influenza viruses in throat swabs
The spokeswoman of the Lower Saxony State Health Office (NLGA), Dagmar Ziehm, emphasized to the „New Osnabrück newspaper“ (NOZ) that the monitoring of acute respiratory diseases (respiratory diseases) indicated the onset of influenza. According to the NLGA, the virological examination of injected throat swabs showed an influenza positive rate of more than 20 percent during the fifth calendar week for the first time during the current season „According to experience, the beginning of the epidemic phase of influenza“ select. Of the positive findings, 69 percent were influenza A (H3N2), 25 percent influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, and six percent influenza B, according to NLGA.

Start of flu epidemic throughout Europe?
According to the RKI, there is also a start in the flu epidemic in other European countries - mainly in western and central European countries. „In 16 countries, a low level (lowest value of the activity classification) and in 18 countries a medium influenza activity was recorded“, so the message of the RKI. In Albania, Belgium, Italy and Portugal, a high level of influenza activity is already evident. Overall, there are many indications that Europe will continue to experience a massive increase in flu in the coming weeks. Germany is also likely to be spared this trend, although the flu epidemic is likely to be much stronger this year than in the influenza season 2013/2014. Typical signs of influenza include respiratory problems, fever, poor performance, body aches and headaches. (Fp)