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RSS Feed General News06. 02. 13. - 17:00
Wave of influenza at its peak
The magistrate for health (MA 15) registered 12,600 new cases of influenza or flu-like infections in Vienna. The seasonal wave of influenza seems to have peaked.
The current wave of influenza in Vienna is not really over yet. The most prominent virus in Austria is the A(H1N1) virus from the swine flu pandemic in 2009/2010. Virologists have also found the "older" A(H3N2) virus. There are also infections of the more harmless Influenza B.
Influenza can be a threat especially for children and older people. The Agency for Health and Food Security (AGES) compared the death rates of years with and years without severe waves of influenza.
The result shows that the infection led to a high excess mortality rate in 2002/2003 with 1,600 deaths (over 65 years: 1,300). In 2004/2005, 1,300 people died from influenza (over 65: just under 1,200) and in 2008/2009, 1,100 people died (all of them over 65).
Many experts claim that these high death rates are due to the fact that only 37 per cent of senior citizens, only 24 per cent of under 65’s and only 17 per cent of relatives of people working in the health sector were vaccinated in 2008/2009.
After the swine flu pandemic in 2009/2010 the sales of the influenza vaccines fell by 50 %. However, many doctors still recommend vaccination. An influenza wave often lasts for a couple of weeks.
The protection offered by a vaccination builds up over a period of ten days. Therefore, there is still time to receive an effective vaccination.
The vaccination is especially recommended for people with heart and circulation problems, diabetes and immune system deficiencies as well as people who work in the health sector or who often work with people.
Vienna Times
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Spanish Riding School for everyone
The riding centre of Heldenberg, district of Hollabrunn (Lower Austria) is now offering exclusive courses: professional riders of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna teach interested riders.
Vienna advocates a ban on pesticides
Vienna has now joined those Austrian states that advocate a cooperative strategy for a ban of the neonicotinoids pesticides. Apparently, there are tested alternatives for the pesticides that are harmful for bees.
Huge debate over multilingualism in Austria
Possible projects for a "multilingual oriented educational concept" have led to a debate in Vienna. The SPÖ, ÖVP and FPÖ are currently discussing the two sides of the issue: "multilingualism as a chance" and "German as a priority".
Exhibition Drawing Against Oblivion
The Leopold Museum in Vienna opened the the exhibition "Drawing against oblivion" on 17 May. Manfred Bockelmann drew more than 60 portraits of children and teenagers, who were victims of the Nazi terror.
Swap deals legal case gets underway
The civil case of the city of Linz, Upper Austria, against the Bawag bank about the swap deal will start on 24 May. The maximum amount of damage for Linz could be as much as 417 million Euros in the worst case.
Third man accident leaves man in hospital
A 55-year-old man fell during the "Third Man Tour", which leads visitors through the Viennese canal system. He is said to have suffered a femoral neck fracture.
Charity seeks funds to restore Jewish cemetery
SAFIKG – the Society of American Friends of the Jewish Community Vienna was formed as a U.S. registered charity to allow it to support the IKG (Israelitische Kultusgemeinde Wien) with tax deductible American contributions.
Doves released for funerals offer
The Viennese funeral parlour Furtner now offers a symbolic supplement of the classic funeral. White doves can be released into the sky during the ceremony.
US embassy marks international day against homophobia
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) took place on 17 May. On this occasion, the rainbow flag was raised next to the American flag at the building of the US embassy in Vienna.
Key for Two at Viennas English Theatre [Review]
Key for Two at Vienna’s English Theatre is a quintessentially British comedy. The play by John Chapman and Dave Freeman has to be one of the funniest and timeless shows about in the Austrian capital.
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