Influenza waves usually recur every year, sometimes severe, sometimes less severe, and perhaps with a time lag. Usually, such a flu season starts in January of the following year, like now in January 2021 in the flu season 20/21. However, there has never been a season in which no flu viruses have been detected.
Even in the current flu season – should it still come in this country – there are very few cases across countries; under 100 laboratory-confirmed since calendar week 40.
In the sentinel samples sent in so far, no influenza viruses could be detected from 1,325 samples, only rhino viruses 17 times and SARS-CoV viruses 15 times, explains the Influenza Working Group (AGI) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). However, since the flu wave may not have even begun, it is possible that positive influenza evidence will eventually be detectable in sentinel samples. In fact, an influenza wave has not begun until the influenza positive rate exceeds ten percent for two consecutive weeks. The third calendar week must also show an increase, at least that is how the influenza working group at the RKI sees it.
However, it could also happen that no influenza virus infection is set in motion due to the hygiene measures pandemic.
Nevertheless, experts at the RKI advise flu virus vaccinations, even if the season should have already begun, because the potential risk of infection could continue for weeks.
Source: Deutsche-Apotheker