Cases on the rise

Flu epidemic rages: 39,000 Styrians reported sick

Cough, cold, fever: thousands are currently confined to bed (symbolic image)

(Bild: Subbotina Anna - stock.adobe.com)

The number of cases of infection is rising rapidly and surgeries are being stormed. 563 influenza sufferers have been hit particularly hard. We know all the figures on the wave of illness.

It starts with a scratchy throat, followed by a cough, runny nose or hoarseness. When headaches and aching limbs are added to the mix, the cold has hit hard. Many Styrians who currently have to stay in bed can sing a sad song about this. Doctors in surgeries are also noticing that it feels like half the country is flat.

The sickness absence reports for week four of this year, which are received centrally by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), speak volumes. According to these reports, 39,038 Styrians were unable to go to work (almost 3000 more than in the previous week). A particularly bad case was 563 people suffering from real flu. The number of these cases of illness among those insured with ÖGK has risen sharply: As recently as calendar week three, 371 cases of influenza had been reported.

The dominant virus type corresponds to the virus strains included in this year's influenza vaccinations.

Andreas Krauter, Chefarzt der Gesundheitskasse

Those who have caught a flu-like infection are not faring much better. Here, too, the number of sick days is increasing. While there were 9,662 bedridden people in week three, this figure climbed to 11,261 seven days later. Compared to the same period last year, the health insurance fund has recorded significantly more cases of infection overall.

Doctors still advise Styrians to get the flu vaccine 
"There is currently a high level of virus activity," reports ÖGK head physician Andreas Krauter. "As the numbers of real flu and flu-like infections continue to rise, it is important to avoid infection and further spread." The doctor recommends getting a flu vaccination, wearing a mask, keeping your distance, washing and disinfecting your hands.