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Flu season ends with 258 deaths - new high

Dresden 05. May 2026 10:45 Uhr 2 Min
Flu season ends with 258 deaths - new high
In Saxony, 28,550 people fell ill with influenza in the current season. (Symbolic image) / Photo: Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/dpa
From: DieSachsen News
258 people died of influenza in Saxony - a new high. Health Minister Köpping warns: "Influenza is not a harmless disease."

Despite comparatively low case numbers, more people have died from influenza in Saxony in the current season than ever before. Influenza was confirmed as the cause of death in 258 patients, according to the Ministry of Health. This exceeds the previous high of 202 deaths from the previous season.

Significantly fewer cases than in the 2024/2025 season

From the end of September 2025 to the end of April 2026, 28,550 people fell ill with the virus, almost 16,000 fewer than in the 2024/2025 season with a very pronounced wave of influenza. The number of cases returned to the level of the two previous seasons.

Among the fatalities was a three-year-old child who was burdened by previous illnesses. In the remaining cases, the patients were between 44 and 101 years old. The median age of the deceased was 86 years.

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More tests and low vaccination rate as cause

A reason for the increase in influenza deaths could be that more cases were detected due to easier and better availability of tests, according to the ministry. In addition, the declining vaccination rate, especially among contact persons of vulnerable people, is considered to be the cause. According to the information, the virus itself was not a reason for more severe cases this season. The circulating virus types did not have increased virulence - meaning they were not more capable of causing severe infections than in previous years.

Köpping: "Not a harmless disease"

"The 2025/2026 influenza season with the high number of reported deaths underlines once again that influenza is not a harmless disease and that people should protect themselves and others by being vaccinated," said Health Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) in a statement.

However, both the immunization coverage rates and the number of influenza vaccinations in Saxony have fallen steadily in recent years. There could be various reasons for this - from simple neglect to general vaccination skepticism. Köpping recommended seeking advice from a family doctor.

Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved

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Projekt Saxony Today : Mehrsprachigkeit von regionalen Nachrichten für in Sachsen lebende Menschen ohne deutsche Muttersprache. Projekt wird gefördert durch die Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien. Diese Maßnahme wird mitfinanziert durch Steuermittel auf Grundlage des vom Sächsischen Landtag beschlossenen Haushaltes.
Projekt Saxony Today : Mehrsprachigkeit von regionalen Nachrichten für in Sachsen lebende Menschen ohne deutsche Muttersprache. Projekt wird gefördert durch die Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien. Diese Maßnahme wird mitfinanziert durch Steuermittel auf Grundlage des vom Sächsischen Landtag beschlossenen Haushaltes.