Overview page , 20/06/2025

Since 1996 the Robert Koch Institute has provided the Postgraduate Training for Applied Epidemiology (PAE). The programme aims to train scientists in the field of infectious disease epidemiology and places a particular focus on applying epidemiological methods for the prevention and control of infectious diseases when working in the German public health service (ÖGD).

Overview page , 19/06/2025

Infectious agents enter wastewater i.e. through feces and can be detected there. The systematic monitoring of wastewater for infectious agents with the aim of making decisions for population-based measures is referred to as wastewater-based surveillance (also known as wastewater surveillance for short). The collected data allow for insights into the trend of infection dynamics. The measured values can be compared and analyzed in conjunction with information from existing reporting systems. Experts can thus comprehensively assess the local situation and derive population-based measures for pandemic management.

Overview page , 13/06/2025

Within the framework of the nationwide enterovirus surveillance (EVSurv), all paediatric and neurological clinics in Germany are offered free enterovirus diagnostics for patients with suspected viral meningitis or encephalitis as well as acute flaccid paresis (AFP). Approximately 150 clinics throughout Germany are currently participating in EVSurv. On average, 2,500 samples are examined annually within the EVSurv; enteroviruses (EV) can be detected in 20-30% of the samples (Tab. 1).

Publication , 11/06/2025

Abstract:Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in Germany. Comprehensive analyses of long-term trends in CHD mortality that also distinguish between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and non-AMI-related chronic CHD are currently lacking.Method: Age-specific and age-standardised CHD mortality rates for the period 1998 – 2023 were calculated based on data from the cause-of-death statistics of the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. Annual percentage changes (APC) and average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were estimated using joinpoint regression analysis.Results: Between 1998 and 2023, the average annual change in age-standardised CHD mortality rates for women was -3.9 % ((-4.1) – (-3.7)) per year, compared with -3.2 % ((-3.3) – (-3.0)) for men. …

Overview page

Access details for the Infectiology Seminar "HUNTT: The HIV-1 Unique Recombinant Form Novelty Tagging Tool for German HIV-1 Sequences"

Overview page , 06/06/2025

RKI newsletter on international activities

Overview page , 06/06/2025

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Publication , 05/06/2025

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Overview page , 03/06/2025

The IMS-HERA2 project aims to strengthen the German national infrastructures for the integrated genomic surveillance (IGS) of respiratory pathogens and to contribute to an improved regional, national and European capacity for genome-based outbreak investigation.The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and absolute necessity of systematic genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, especially when sequencing data can be combined with clinical and epidemiological data sets. In view of the high virulence, rapid evolution and demonstrated capacity for immune escape of SARS-CoV-2, there is no doubt that close and continuous integrated genomic surveillance of this pathogen will be a public health imperative for years to come. Therefore, there is an urgent need for sustainable infrastructures …

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The second edition of the "AI in Public Health Research" Symposium will take place on 9th-10th September, 2026 at the Conference Centre of the Federal Ministries in Berlin, Germany. We also look back at the 2025 and the 2023 Symposium.