Influenza wave in Hamburg: 2,169 cases and seven deaths!

Influenza wave in Hamburg: 2,169 cases and seven deaths!

Hamburg, Deutschland - Influenza cases in Hamburg have risen significantly since the beginning of the current season, which started in October 2024. By the end of last week, 2,169-confirmed influenza cases were already registered in the Hanseatic city. For comparison: In the previous year there were only 1,766 cases, which is a significant increase. Of the patients sick, 481, i.e. 22 percent, had to be hospitalized, with seven deaths to complain about this year, all of which are connected to Influenza-A infections. In the previous year there were a total of 17 deaths.

All deceased this season was over 50 years old. Jana Husemann, the chair of the general practitioner association Hamburg, emphasizes that local general practitioners are currently not at the limit. Despite fully filled infection hours, medical care is not endangered. Husemann urgently recommends increasing the vaccination rate, since the highlight of the influenza wave is usually reached in February. In addition, it is advisable not to go to work sick and strictly keep the basic hygienic rules and a healthy lifestyle. According to Hamburg T-Online , these precautions are decisive in order to curb the distribution of the virus.

Current epidemiological situation

The website of the Influenza (AGI) Working Group of the Robert Koch Institute gives a comprehensive overview of the epidemiological situation in Germany. In the 4th calendar week 2025, an increase in the activities of acute respiratory diseases (are) was recorded, especially in children. Influenza A (H1N1) PDM09 and influenza B. are particularly noticeable this season, the increase in visits to the doctor due to ARE in the outpatient sector, whereby the focus is on children up to 14 years. According to Robert Koch-Institut , respiratory viruses were detected in 247 out of 295 samples in the fourth calendar week, 57 % influenza A- and B viruses.

The virological balance sheets of SARI monitoring shows that influenza diagnoses made 37 % this week. The burden of heavier acute respiratory infections (SARI) has more than doubled since the turn of the year, especially in school children. The results of the daily virological exams complement the weekly epidemiological evaluations and are updated regularly to inform the public about the course of the virus spread. A detailed analysis can be found in the weekly reports of the rki .