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Austria is facing a rapidly intensifying flu wave, with hospitals reporting an unusually high number of severe cases. Health experts warn that the situation shows no signs of easing, and the coming weeks may bring even more infections.
Rising Hospitalizations Across the Country
Influenza cases have been climbing steadily, mirroring the severe flu situation already gripping Italy. According to Austria’s SARI dashboard—which tracks hospital admissions for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections—more people were hospitalized with influenza shortly before the end of the year than at the peak of the 2024/25 flu season.
And the numbers are still rising. “We continue to see increasingly strong influenza virus activity,” said virologist Monika Redlberger-Fritz of MedUni Vienna in an interview with Heute.
As head of the national influenza reference laboratory, she expects no improvement for at least one to two weeks.
A New Variant Driving the Wave
The surge is largely fueled by a new Influenza A variant: H3N2 Subclade K. Around 60 percent of submitted samples currently test positive for influenza, and roughly three‑quarters of those are this particular strain.
The challenge, Redlberger-Fritz explains, is that Austria has not experienced a significant H3 wave for some time. Recent seasons were dominated by H1 and B variants. As a result, this year’s flu vaccine is not optimally matched to the circulating H3N2 subclade.
“The vaccine is effective, but not to the same extent as in previous years,” she noted. Still, she strongly recommends vaccination for anyone hoping to avoid infection.
Three Measures the Virologist Recommends
Beyond vaccination, Redlberger-Fritz highlights two additional protective behaviors—both familiar from the COVID‑19 pandemic:
1. Follow proper coughing and sneezing etiquette
Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, not your hands. Viruses spread quickly when transferred to surfaces like handrails or door handles.
2. Maintain distance when coughing
If a coughing fit is unavoidable, step back from others first. A distance of 1.5 to 2 meters is considered ideal to reduce transmission.
3. Practice thorough hand hygiene
Wash hands with soap and water for 20 to 30 seconds, including palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails. Regular washing significantly reduces the spread of pathogens.
No Immediate Relief in Sight
With the flu wave still strengthening and the dominant strain only partially covered by the current vaccine, Austria’s health system is preparing for continued pressure. Experts emphasize that individual protective measures—simple but effective—remain crucial in slowing the spread.
- source: oe24.at/picture: pixabay.com
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