Hamburg’s flu crisis deepens as cases and deaths surge this autumn

A relentless flu season grips Hamburg, with hospitals overwhelmed and deaths rising. Why are this year’s cases hitting harder—and who’s most at risk?

, and Administrator

2025 December 15 . 10:24 PM

1 min read

This image is clicked on the roads. To the left, there is ambulance. To the right, there is a tent... — This image is clicked on the roads. To the left, there is ambulance. To the right, there is a tent under which many people are standing. There is also table and chair in the right of the image.

Hamburg’s flu crisis deepens as cases and deaths surge this autumn

Hamburg has witnessed a sharp increase in influenza A cases this autumn, with infections nearly doubling compared to last year. Health officials are now urging vulnerable groups to get vaccinated as hospitalisations and deaths climb. Between late September and mid-November 2025, Hamburg reported almost twice as many confirmed flu cases as in the same period of 2024. The surge has raised concerns, particularly for high-risk groups. In 2024, 40% of flu patients were aged 65 or older, while 23% were five years old or younger. The latest data shows a clear increase in severe flu cases, especially among the elderly. With hospital admissions and fatalities rising, health authorities continue to push for higher vaccination rates in vulnerable populations. The STIKO’s recommendations remain in place to help reduce the impact of the virus this winter.