COVID-19 News: 7.9 Million Germans Sick With Respiratory Infections As BA.2.86 And JN.1 Now Constitutes 49.3 Percent Of All Circulating Strains In Germany!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 15, 2023 11 months, 1 week, 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: As Germany grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the latest data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) sheds light on the intricate dynamics of respiratory infections in the country. The prevalence of acute respiratory diseases, fueled by both COVID-19 and traditional respiratory infections, underscores the challenges faced by healthcare systems.
https://influenza.rki.de/Wochenberichte/2023_2024/2023-49.pdf
According to local German
COVID-19 News coverages, in Week 49 (December 4-10, 2023), 7.9 million individuals in Germany were reported to be suffering from acute respiratory illnesses!
https://www.focus.de/gesundheit/news/corona-ist-auf-dem-vormarsch-welche-varianten-gerade-kursieren_id_259498301.html
Key Respiratory Infections
-COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity:
The surge in RSV cases, initiated in Week 47, persists, particularly impacting children under two years old, leading to increases in pediatric hospitalizations.
Influenza activity is on the rise, predominantly affecting school-age children and young adults, though the official flu wave, according to RKI definition, has not yet commenced.
-Acute Respiratory Diseases (ARE) Activity:
Overall ARE activity increased in Week 49 across all age groups.
Outpatient visits for ARE also rose during this period.
-Virological Surveillance:
SARS-CoV-2 constituted 24% of respiratory virus samples, followed by rhinoviruses (19%), RSV (13%), and influenza viruses (6%).
Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases increased, with COVID-19 diagnoses constituting 28% of all SARI cases.
SARS-CoV-2 Variants:
-Pirola (BA.2.86): 49.3 percent
The BA.2.86 variant, known as Pirola, has dominated since September, comprising 49.3% of all detected Corona infections.
The sub-variant JN.1, constituting 29.87%, is currently the most widespread sub-lineage, with potential increased transmissibility and immune system evasiveness.
Preliminary data not yet published shows that it is possibly more pathogenic and also better adept at using both cleaved and uncleaved ACE2 receptors, TMPRSS2 and is also possibly adept at using many other newer receptors! There are emerging data that it is also exhibiting tropism towards the gut!
-Eris (EG.5): 15.6 percent
The Eris variant, which was the dominant strain, saw a decrease from 34.6% (Week 47) to 15.6%.
Despite mutations facilitating immune system evasion, there is no evidence suggesting Eris causes more severe COVID-19 cases.
ong>-JD.1.1: 6.5 percent
JD.1.1, a descendant of XBB.1.5, showed a 1% increase in its share.
While XBB.1.5 was considered highly contagious at the beginning of the year and it is more infectious and transmissible due to mutations on its spike proteins, its predominance is now superseded by other newer sub-lineages.
-JG.3: 6.5 percent
JG.3, a new subvariant of XBB, saw its share nearly halved from 13.4% to 6.5%.
-Fornax (FL.1.5.1): 3.9 percent
Fornax, an omicron sub-lineage, accounted for 3.9% of infections and is considered a VOI.
Situation In Germany Expected to Worsen
Hospitals and outpatient clinics in Germany are currently already over stretched and there is also a growing shortage of healthcare workers as many themselves are getting infected and becoming sick.
Pharmacies and drug stores are running out of ATK test kit and cold and flu medications while pediatric hospitalizations are growing exponentially.
The situation is expected to worsen in coming weeks as flu cases are also anticipated to rise… contributing to a “triple pandemic” once again of RSV, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus!
Conclusion
The RKI report underscores the complex landscape of respiratory infections in Germany, emphasizing the need for continued public health measures and vaccination campaigns. With COVID-19, RSV, and influenza simultaneously impacting the population, a multifaceted approach is crucial for effective mitigation. Ongoing surveillance efforts, as highlighted in the report, will be essential for adapting strategies to evolving circumstances.
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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