A Looming Wave of Gastrointestinal Troubles in Germany
The Coronavirus pandemic may have been a wake-up call for improving personal hygiene, but now it seems we're moving back to old habits. Specialists in Germany are warning of an impending wave of stomach and intestinal infections due to the norovirus. Yes, you heard it right - diarrhea, yet again!
In recent years, the number of stomach and intestinal infections in Germany had been on the decline, primarily due to enhanced hygiene measures such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and regular hand washing. But, alas, the virus that causes diarrhea and is spread through smear infections, norovirus, seems to be having a field day again.
The German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) has issued a cautionary forecast, estimating a significant increase in stomach and intestinal infections, owing to poor hygiene practices. And, unfortunately, the Robert Koch Institute, responsible for recording viruses, agrees. The Institute reports a slight increase in the number of reported norovirus cases currently, but warns that, with history serving as our guide, the highest number of cases tends to occur in the winter months.
During winter 2019, norovirus infections were almost 20 times higher than during winter 2020, while the number of reported cases in 2020 was still four times lower than pre-pandemic levels. This trend could be set to change this year if the current relaxation of hygiene measures persists.
Washing hands, again and again
Expert advice is clear - wash your hands regularly to keep at bay infections that typically accompany vomiting and diarrhea. The catch? There is no vaccination against noroviruses.
For instance, Dr. Schröder stresses, if you fall ill, isolate yourself within your family and disinfect the surrounding surfaces and laundry fully. Particular attention should be paid to toilets, basins, and door handles.
Gastrointestinal diseases caused by noroviruses or salmonella account for approximately 60% of all notifiable infectious diseases in Germany. They've been mainly caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
Be mindful of the potential norovirus wave, as these viruses, infamous for causing stomach and intestinal infections, often lead to diarrhea and are spread through smear infections. Before the pandemic, norovirus infections were much more prevalent in Germany, with the highest number of cases registered in the winter months. However, as a result of improved hygiene practices during the pandemic, the reported number of norovirus cases decreased. Now with relaxed hygiene measures, experts are predicting a surge in such infections this year.
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While the provided sources do not provide specific predictions for an increase in norovirus infections in Germany due to relaxed hygiene measures, they do share insights into norovirus prevalence elsewhere and the significance of hygiene.
- Norovirus Prevalence in Wales: Reports from the Science Evidence Advice team in Welsh Government indicate a 6.3% increase in norovirus cases in Wales from the same period last year, with 474 confirmed cases in the twelve-week period between 04/11/2024 and 26/01/2025[1][5].
- Importance of Hygiene: Proper hygiene practices are essential for preventing norovirus spread on cruise ships and in other contexts, such as the kitchen, where salmonella infections may also be prevented[2][3]. In Germany, both the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) stress the importance of maintaining good hygiene in food handling[3].
- Norovirus Cases in Wales: Acknowledging the contribution of poor hygiene practices to norovirus spread, reports indicate that more than half of norovirus cases in Wales occur among the elderly[5]. Keeping this in mind, focusing on hand hygiene and sanitation, especially in places where the elderly reside, can help minimize the impact of norovirus outbreaks.
Given the limited specific data available for Germany, adhering to general guidelines for preventing norovirus spread is advisable, including upholding good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing, proper cleaning of surfaces, and avoiding close contact with those who are sick.
