Report on the Epidemiology of Influenza in Germany
The Report on the Epidemiology of Influenza in Germany is published annually by the Robert Koch Institute. An executive Summary in English provides an overview of the noteworthy developments and events in influenza epidemiology of the season before. Results of the influenza surveillance of the RKI are primarily based on the analysis of: (1) reports of primary care physicians about patients with acute respiratory illnesses; (2) data from laboratory tests of respiratory samples taken from patients with influenza-like illness and (3) mandatory reporting of laboratory confirmed influenza submitted by county health departments via state health departments to RKI.
Influenza Pandemic Preparedness
The German Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan consists of two parts. While part I describes structures and measures, part II describes the current scientific knowledge on pandemic influenza preparedness planning and response to pandemic influenza. With the help of the Expert Advisory Board on pandemic Acute Respiratory Infections, RKI has thoroughly revised the scientific part which was first published in 2005.
In doing so, the researchers considered the lessons learned from the 2009 pandemic as well as the updated global pandemic preparedness plan by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Part II describes the scientific basis of influenza epidemiology, surveillance, diagnostics and symptoms, it deals with the efficacy of prophylactic and therapeutic measures and communication concepts. Thus, part II serves as a technical basis for decisions on measures to prepare for the event of a pandemic, as well as measures in the event of a pandemic.
Expert Advisory Board on pandemic Acute Respiratory Infections
Since March, 2021, the RKI Expert Advisory Board on pandemic Acute Respiratory Infections supersedes the former Advisory Board on Influenza (founded in November 2012). It still advises the RKI prior to and during a pandemic with regard to scientific questions concerning influenza and other acute respiratory infections, including the update of the scientific part of the German Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (Part II).
RKI Expert Advisory Board on pandemic Acute Respiratory Infections
