Respiratory illness in Germany
The three major respiratory pathogens side by side — influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Data from RKI GrippeWeb, COVID-ARE, and the AMELAG wastewater surveillance programme.
Current situation: Influenza
In week 15 of 2026, activity of influenza (seasonal flu) in Germany is low. The trend — combining clinical surveillance and the wastewater signal — is falling. Over a four-week comparison, a clear decline is visible.
The classification is based on RKI GrippeWeb and the RKI ARE consultation incidence (Germany's national public-health institute). Seasonally, infection waves in Germany typically peak between January and March; activity is usually markedly lower during the summer half of the year. How severe a given season becomes depends on the circulating virus variant and the population's immune status, among other factors.
Current situation: COVID-19
In week 15 of 2026, activity of COVID-19 in Germany is low. The trend — combining clinical surveillance and the wastewater signal — is falling. A clear upward movement has emerged over the past few weeks.
The classification is based on RKI COVID-ARE consultation incidence and the AMELAG wastewater surveillance programme. Seasonally, infection waves in Germany typically peak during the winter months, with occasional summer waves; activity is usually markedly lower in early summer between waves. How severe a given season becomes depends on the circulating virus variant and the population's immune status, among other factors.
Current situation: RSV
In week 15 of 2026, activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Germany is low. The trend — combining clinical surveillance and the wastewater signal — is falling. A slight downward trend has emerged over recent weeks.
The classification is based on the RKI AMELAG wastewater surveillance programme. Seasonally, infection waves in Germany typically peak between December and February; activity is usually markedly lower in spring and summer. How severe a given season becomes depends on the circulating virus variant and the population's immune status, among other factors.
Data sources and methodology
The assessment of Germany's current infection picture combines three independent surveillance systems run by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany's national public-health agency. Together they deliver a robust view of disease burden that captures both mild illness in the general population and the load on primary care.
RKI GrippeWeb
GrippeWeb is a syndromic reporting system based on voluntary reports from the public. Participants anonymously report each week whether anyone in their household has a newly emerged respiratory illness. This captures milder courses that never trigger a doctor's visit.
ARE consultation incidence (COVID-ARE)
The consultation incidence tracks how many patients seek medical care for an acute respiratory infection. It is based on sentinel practices coordinated by the Working Group on Influenza. This indicator reflects the strain on the healthcare system.
AMELAG wastewater surveillance
Wastewater surveillance (the Abwassermonitoring für eine epidemiologische Lagebewertung programme) measures viral load in sewage plants. Because pathogens are often shed before people get tested or visit a doctor, AMELAG serves as an early indicator — independent of individual testing behaviour.
Qualitative classification
The “Low”, “Moderate” and “High” categories follow seasonal reference values and epidemiological thresholds used by the RKI. The historical variability of respiratory waves is accounted for. Data is refreshed weekly, as soon as the RKI publishes its weekly report — typically on Thursdays.
Frequently asked questions
How many people in Germany are currently sick?
The total is estimated qualitatively from the ARE rate in the population and the RKI's consultation incidence. The overall picture is categorised in steps from “low” to “high”, based on the share of people with acute respiratory symptoms. Since not everyone who is ill sees a doctor, experts combine primary-care data with self-reports from GrippeWeb. For concrete numbers and personal risk assessment, the InfectRisk app provides deeper analysis.
When is respiratory-illness activity at its highest?
The highest disease burden is consistently observed in winter. The peak usually falls between January and March, when flu, RSV, and COVID-19 often circulate simultaneously. Autumn also tends to show a clear uptick, as temperatures drop and the summer holidays end. Climate and increased time spent indoors favour the spread of respiratory pathogens.
Why does sickness rise in winter?
Several factors contribute. Many viruses remain stable in the cold and survive longer in dry heated air. Airway mucous membranes are less perfused and drier in winter, weakening their barrier function. Close contact indoors eases transmission via droplets and aerosols. The net effect: the reproduction number of many respiratory pathogens naturally rises during winter.
What is “immune debt”?
“Immune debt” describes the phenomenon that, after periods of low pathogen circulation — for instance during strict public-health measures — population-level immunity against certain viruses drops. Subsequent infection waves can therefore hit harder, because the regular “training” of the immune system was missing. It does not describe a permanent defect, only a temporary catch-up effect.
How is respiratory-illness activity measured in Germany?
Several data streams come together: the RKI uses reports on doctor visits for respiratory infections and virological lab results. Statutory health insurers add their view via sick-leave certificates for employees. These mosaic pieces together form a picture of current burden. On infectrisk.com we condense these streams into a single qualitative assessment.
Want the actual numbers?
You'll find them in the app.
Here you only see the trend. In the app: exact incidence rates, “X out of 100 people infectious”, your personal risk based on age and pre-existing conditions, wastewater trends, 36 countries, home-screen widget.
