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First wave of illness in Munich: Experts warn of Oktoberfest flu!
Current wave of illness in Nymphenburg: Gastrointestinal, colds and Covid cases are increasing. Doctors recommend vaccinations.
First wave of illness in Munich: Experts warn of Oktoberfest flu!
The first wave of illness of the year has broken out in Munich and the city's doctors are being challenged. Dr. Sirfy, a family doctor from Nymphenburg, reports that this wave started about three weeks ago, in mid-August, and has since confronted practices with a variety of complaints. These are primarily gastrointestinal diseases, classic colds and cases of Covid-19. Still, testing is currently limited, meaning many symptoms suggest Covid-19 is spreading, although confirmed case numbers are not yet skyrocketing.
What is particularly interesting is the observation that people returning from vacation may have contributed to the spread of the virus. This is nothing new, especially since doctors' offices typically experience an onslaught of flu and other respiratory illnesses as October approaches, the season of Oktoberfest. Dr. Sirfy explains that the cool and wet weather conditions encourage the spread of disease.
Doctors on standby
Doctors’ practices have already made preparations for the upcoming waves of illness. Dr. Sirfy particularly advises older people to get the flu vaccination, while younger people can be a little more relaxed, as the main wave is usually expected in January. Nevertheless, the “Wiesn flu” could report earlier this year.
The health situation is not only tense in Munich. Current data shows that there is a high volume of doctor visits due to respiratory diseases throughout Germany. In the week from August 18th to 24th, around 556 doctor's visits per 100,000 inhabitants due to acute respiratory diseases were recorded. The Ministry of Health is providing weekly updates to closely monitor the situation. According to the infection radar, the corona incidence remains increasing while the flu incidence is stable, which indicates a complex course of the diseases.
Trend in the number of infections
The situation is challenging overall: The number of doctor visits for respiratory diseases is stable, but the corona virus load in wastewater is showing an increase. In addition, the RKI reported around 8,600 respiratory diseases per 100,000 inhabitants for the week starting September 23rd. And these are no trivialities - the total number of acute respiratory diseases in Germany is around 7.3 million.
The pathogens are known: Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses in particular are the main causes of current illnesses. Of the most recent respiratory illnesses, Covid-19 accounted for about 1,400. Particular attention is being paid to the new subline XEC, which has been detected in Germany for the first time since July 2024 and accounts for 28 percent of Covid cases. The salvation for the vulnerable groups could lie in the recommended booster vaccinations, which the Standing Vaccination Commission recommends for people aged 60 and over and for people with previous illnesses.
How the situation will develop in the coming weeks remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however: whether in Munich or across Germany – the medical professionals are on their posts in this regard and are also well prepared for what may come next.
tz.de reports that practices are busy dealing with the new wave of illness. The infection numbers for the entire Federal Republic were: news.de summarized while zdf.de provides an overview of respiratory diseases and highlights the most significant trends.