Is there a dangerous combination of corona and flu in the fall?

Expert agrees with Lauterbach

Created: 06/13/2022, 15:54

By: Michelle Brey

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach sees a combination of the corona and influenza viruses as very dangerous.

A colleague takes a similar view.

(Archive image) © Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

What is coming to Germany in autumn and winter?

Experts warn - and not just because of the Corona variant BA.5.

Munich – Germany is entering the third summer with the corona virus.

At the same time, the focus is on autumn and winter in this country.

In addition to the omicron subvariant BA.5, experts are also concerned about the forthcoming wave of influenza.

Corona and influenza: expert before autumn in Germany "very concerned"

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) warned of a “very dangerous combination” consisting of the corona virus and the influenza virus.

He insisted on action.

Lauterbach has “a legitimate point,” said Greens health expert Janosch Dahmen on Monday (June 13) on RTL/ntv’s “Frühstart” program.

He added: "Especially as a doctor, I am very worried." In the conversation he referred to the southern hemisphere, "where autumn has just started".

In Australia you can see “a really dramatic wave of flu that is spreading there,” he said on the show.

Influenza epidemic in Australia 2022

At the beginning of June, the Australian authorities reported a strong wave of flu in many parts of Australia as part of the relaxation of the corona virus.

In the previous two years, the influenza virus had a break almost everywhere due to the strict protective measures, in particular the rules of distance and the obligation to wear masks.

Queensland Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk described the flu season as "very bad" and compared it to 2017 flu figures.

You have to expect that flu viruses will spread parallel to new strains of coronavirus, said Dahmen in the RTL / ntv program "Frühstart" with a view to autumn in Germany.

This could also lead to the healthcare system being heavily burdened.

In addition to vaccination against the corona virus, the expert also recommended vaccination against influenza viruses.

"Only that will help the situation not spread as much as we are seeing in Australia right now," he continued.

“We have to face this criticism”: Dahmen demands more precise corona data

In addition, the Greens health expert called for a more precise collection of corona data, also with a view to autumn 2022.

Criticism of the federal government that not enough has been done so far is justified, said the member of the Bundestag on Monday.

"We can't duck away, we have to face this criticism," said Dahmen.

You have to know how heavy the burden in the healthcare system is and how many beds are available in the hospitals in intensive care and normal wards.

In this context, Dahmen pointed to the high burden on employees in the health authorities after more than two years of the pandemic.

According to the RKI, the corona variants are doubling weekly.

A sharp increase in infection is possible as early as summer.