Flu epidemic has begun in Austria

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The flu epidemic has begun in Austria. The Center for Virology at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) has reported a significant increase in influenza viruses in clinical samples. Cases of real flu are rising throughout Europe; experts still advise vaccination.

In the previous week, a more than four-fold increase in cases of real flu (influenza, note) was observed in clinical samples nationwide compared to calendar week 50, MedUni Vienna’s Center for Virology announced on Monday. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) reported 905 sick days due to influenza.

In the previous week, almost 72,000 ÖGK policyholders had reported being sick with mostly harmless flu-like infections. There were 2,666 sick days with Covid-19, nearly three times as many as with influenza. “Given the rising cases of real flu, vaccination is critical to protect your immune system. Take advantage of the free flu vaccination throughout Austria,” recommended ÖGK chief physician Andreas Krauter in a press release on Monday. The circulating viruses correspond to the virus strains selected for this year’s vaccine.

Free vaccination for the first time
According to the MedUni Vienna website, influenza viruses of type A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B viruses are currently predominant. As of 15 December, 844,000 flu vaccinations had been entered into the e-vaccination certificate, according to the vaccination dashboard of the umbrella organization of social insurance institutions. That is still less than ten percent of the total population. Vaccination against the real flu is available free of charge for everyone in Austria for the first time.

The Austrian vaccination plan recommends six months of vaccination, especially for infants and young children, pregnant women, those with obesity and chronic illnesses, and those aged 60. According to calculations by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), up to 4,000 people, including many children, have died from influenza in recent flu seasons.

Rising flu numbers throughout Europe
The flu epidemic in Austria usually starts in December or early January and peaks in February. This time, the Center for Virology at MedUni Vienna declared it a little earlier than last season, when it started right after the Christmas vacations. Just one year earlier—in 2022/23—there had been a powerful and long flu season after the first two coronavirus winters.

According to MedUni Vienna, the flu trend is also increasing significantly in other European countries. Ireland, Norway, and France have already reported widespread influenza virus activity, while Sweden, Hungary, Greece, Malta, and Bulgaria have also reported regional activity.