RSV Wave Declared Over by Robert Koch Institute

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has officially announced the conclusion of the recent wave of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections. This announcement follows the end of the influenza wave, marking a significant shift in the landscape of respiratory illnesses in Germany.

According to the RKI, the RSV wave lasted for a total of 13 weeks, concluding in the week of April 7. This information was shared in the institute's weekly report on acute respiratory diseases. The previous influenza wave, which the RKI declared over last week, continued for 16 weeks and ended in the week of March 31.

Throughout the 2024/2025 season, the RKI reported a total of 1,822 deaths attributed to influenza virus infections, with the majority of these fatalities occurring in individuals aged 60 and older.

Despite the official end of these viral waves, health experts emphasize that the risk of contracting RSV or influenza remains. The term 'wave' refers to periods of heightened viral activity, and health officials continue to monitor the situation closely. In the previous week alone, approximately 1,430 cases of RSV and around 930 cases of influenza were reported to the RKI. Health authorities have noted that fluctuations in these numbers may occur due to the Easter holidays, which can affect reporting.

Current data indicates a notable decrease in the number of acute respiratory infections compared to the winter months. In the week spanning from April 21 to April 27, about 3,700 individuals per 100,000 population were reported to be suffering from acute respiratory illnesses, a decline from the previous week's figure of 4,600 per 100,000.

The RKI estimates that approximately 3.1 million people are currently experiencing acute respiratory infections across the country. This figure represents a significant drop from the 5.2 million reported at the end of March, 6.9 million at the end of February, and around 8 million at the end of January.

Moreover, the report highlights a downward trend in severe cases of illness associated with respiratory infections over recent weeks. This decline is a positive indication for public health as the nation transitions into warmer months, typically associated with a reduction in viral respiratory infections.