Increase in Reported Flu Cases Observed in Brandenburg - Increased Incidences of Flu Reported in Brandenburg
In the 2024/25 flu season, Brandenburg experienced a substantial rise in confirmed influenza cases compared to the previous year, with a total of 18,717 cases reported from early October 2024 to mid-May 2025. This marked an increase from the 7,584 cases reported during the 2023/24 season.
Brandenburg's Health Minister Britta Müller (independent) attributed the increase to possible genetic changes in the influenza viruses. Müller urged the public to avail themselves of the flu vaccination offer, emphasizing that influenza is not a harmless disease. The best time for the vaccination is typically in October and November.
The vaccination rate among people aged 60 and over in Brandenburg during the 2023/24 season stood at 52.2 percent, but current figures for the 2024/25 season were not yet available.
During the 2024/25 flu season, acute respiratory illness activity was relatively high in autumn across various German sentinel systems. However, data aggregated across the country did not single out Brandenburg specifically. The national flu case numbers had stabilized and influenza virus levels in wastewater were at low levels by mid-2025.
Factors such as vaccination rates, population immunity from previous seasons, changes in circulating virus strains, and public behavior (e.g., mask use, social distancing) can contribute to regional fluctuations in influenza activity. If the observed increase in Brandenburg is confirmed, it may be due to waning immunity from previous seasons, the prevalence of a new or more transmissible influenza strain, or environmental and behavioral factors leading to higher transmission in certain regions.
- To mitigate potential increases in influenza cases like the one observed in Brandenburg during the 2024/25 season, ongoing review and adjustment of both community policy and employment policy that promote health and wellness, such as offering flu vaccinations in the workplace, could be beneficial.
- Given the rise in chronic diseases and medical-conditions, it's crucial for employers to analyze their employment policies to ensure they accommodate employees with those conditions when administering flu vaccinations in the workplace, considering factors such as individual health risks and fitness-and-exercise recommendations.
- As influenza is a serious public health concern, Brandenburg's government and other local communities should collaborate on research initiatives, using the latest science to study the impact of chronic diseases and environmental factors on influenza transmission rates, specifically focusing on fitness-and-exercise to improve population immunity against the virus.
