Many seriously ill—new virus circulating in Austria

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The number of SARS-CoV-2 infections continues to fall. Nevertheless, viruses are currently circulating that are forcing many people in Austria into bed.

According to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), 66,411 people were recently confined to bed due to flu-like infections—over 3,000 more than a week earlier (week 45: 63,051). Many of the sick people were also badly affected by fever, cough, and general pain.

Monika Redlberger-Fritz from the Department of Virology at MedUni Vienna knows which viruses are responsible for the severe illnesses: “There are currently two suspects, parainfluenza and old seasonal coronaviruses,” says the virologist in an interview with “Heute”.

However, we are not talking about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which has been with us for four years now, but other coronaviruses that have been known for some time and are now coming to the fore again.

“These are old seasonal coronaviruses, such as NL63, which are now on the rise again and causing severe colds,” explains the expert. The typical symptoms of these coronaviruses, which usually affect the upper respiratory tract, are fever, cough, runny nose, headache, sore throat, and a general feeling of illness, including aching limbs. A flu-like infection as it appears in the “picture book,” so to speak.

Otherwise, the “situation is currently calm,” says Redlberger-Fritz. The number of SARS-CoV-2 cases is clearly continuing to decline: “The moderate fall wave is almost over. It is impossible to predict whether there will be another wave this winter. It’s certainly possible, as we’ve seen in previous years.”

The RSV and flu wave are also not yet in sight. “Internationally, things are still very quiet here too. We can probably expect an increase in influenza and RSV cases from December and possibly a wave in January,” says the virologist cautiously.