Corona at Oktoberfest: Doctors warn of a high risk of infection 

Created: 09/13/2022, 17:00

By: Judith Brown

The Oktoberfest is just around the corner and with it the likelihood of rising corona numbers.

How high is the risk of infection.

Two years of Corona break, now it can finally take place again: On the third weekend in September, many Oktoberfest fans will finally say "Oazapft is" again, because that's when the world-famous and popular Oktoberfest begins in Munich.

For many people, this event has probably been a source of great anticipation for months, while others may be more skeptical.

After all, the corona virus did not suddenly disappear and the risk of infection still exists.

After all, densely packed crowds of people on the beer benches and in the tents make it easy for pathogens to spread.

So how high is the risk of infection really?

Wiesn flu and corona: risk of infection at the Oktoberfest

Corona, monkeypox and Wiesn flu: The Oktoberfest is a place where infectious diseases can be rampant.

(Iconic image) © Andreas Weber/IMAGO

Millions of guests are expected at the world's largest Oktoberfest, among whom the corona virus could spread.

"Of course, this will lead to an increase in the number of cases," explains Prof. Johannes Bogner, head of the Clinical Infectious Diseases section at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich, to

.

Other doctors also have no doubts that there will be a Wiesn wave.

"For those who go to the Wiesn: The probability of transmission there is high," agrees Dr.

Christoph Spinner, infectiologist and pandemic officer at the Klinikum Rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich.

Nevertheless, there are always people who do not get infected with Corona despite contact with infected people due to several factors.

Crowds of people fuel infection processes.

Even after the most recent folk festivals, such as the Straubinger Gäuboden folk festival, the number of infections in certain regions rose sharply.

Nevertheless, the Oktoberfest should not be canceled in the opinion of many medical professionals, although the corona virus can spread further due to the international nature of the Oktoberfest.

According to Bogner, you have to return to normality – “and we can afford it,” said the doctor.

Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that the Wiesn "is of course a place where infectious diseases can be rampant because of the crowds that gather there".

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Oktoberfest: risk of spreading infectious diseases

In addition to the spread of the corona virus, monkeypox is also currently circulating worldwide.

However, health experts agree that the risk of spreading at the Oktoberfest is rather low, as long as you don't get too close.

After all, in the recent past, most of the transmissions took place through sexual contacts.

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In addition, of course, there is a risk of influenza infections, because doctors register increased numbers of influenza infections earlier than in other parts of the country after the Wiesn.

"We have known for a long time that the first wave of flu-like illnesses in autumn is very closely linked to the Wiesn," says Bogner.

However, this has nothing to do with the "real" flu, since influenza usually only spreads after the turn of the year until well into March.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

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