Rising sick leave in Lower Austria: flu wave on the way!

Rising sick leave in Lower Austria: flu wave on the way!

The current sick leave figures in Lower Austria show a worrying increase: From the first to the fifth calendar week 2025, the sick leave rose from 33,793 to impressive 55,199. During the semester break, however, there was a slight decline in 52,340 sick leave. These figures come from the current statistics of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund and show that the wave of disease is primarily due to flu infections and influenza, while the Covid 19 cases are no longer taken into account as a reportable disease, which influences the general figures. At that time, the total reports across Austria were 299,595, compared to 306.124 in the previous year, as in the information portal nön.at is reported.

vigilance compared to the flu season

The data show that despite a decline compared to the previous year, the numbers for flu infections are significantly higher compared to the semester holidays than in the previous year. "We are heading for the highlight of the flu season," warns Andreas Krauter, chief physician of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund. It emphasizes the importance of flu vaccinations and general hygiene measures such as regular hand washing and ventilation of rooms to minimize the risk of infection. The circulating viruses A (H1N1) PDM09 and Influenza B (Victoria), which are included in the vaccinations, are particularly the focus, such as Nön.at also note.

The current numbers and recommendations underline the need to preserve vigilance in order to prevent further infection during the flu season. Health -conscious behaviors, including a balanced diet, sufficient sleep and regular movement in the fresh air, are also recommended to strengthen the immune system.