The Infection Protection Act (IfSG) in Germany is a key element in protecting the population from infectious diseases. It came into force on January 1, 2001 and has been amended several times since then – especially during the coronavirus pandemic, many people have become familiar with it.

The Infection Protection Act defines how Germany deals with infectious diseases – from influenza and measles to new threats such as coronavirus. There are clear rules for detecting diseases early, stopping their spread and protecting people’s health. One important point is the reporting obligation: certain diseases, such as tuberculosis or salmonella, must be reported immediately to the health authorities by doctors and laboratories. This allows authorities to react quickly – for example with quarantine, contact tracing or vaccination campaigns. The law also regulates measures such as school closures, compulsory masks and social distancing rules, which we are familiar with from the pandemic. However, these interventions are subject to strict conditions: they must be necessary, proportionate and in the public interest.

The IfSG also promotes prevention. It ensures that vaccinations are offered and stipulates how hospitals and care facilities must comply with hygiene standards. There is a particular focus on protecting at-risk groups, such as the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s central authority for infectious diseases, plays a key role here: it collects data, assesses risks and makes recommendations – all on the basis of the IfSG.

And this is where laboratory medicine becomes indispensable. It is at the heart of infection control, because without laboratories, diseases could not be diagnosed with certainty. If someone has a cough or a fever, the laboratory provides the answer: is it the flu, corona or something else? With tests such as the PCR method, pathogens can be detected in samples such as nasal swabs or blood – often down to the exact virus variant. This is crucial for starting the right treatment and stopping the spread. During the coronavirus pandemic, laboratories have analyzed millions of tests, helping to break chains of infection.

However, laboratory medicine goes beyond mere testing. It monitors how diseases change – for example, when a virus mutates and becomes more dangerous. Thanks to modern technologies such as gene sequencing, laboratories can identify new variants and warn authorities. They also check whether bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, which is vital for infections such as hospital germs. Without these precise analyses, measures under the Infection Protection Act would often be a shot in the dark.

The interaction between the IfSG and laboratory medicine shows how closely law and science are interlinked. The law creates the framework: It says which diseases must be reported and which standards laboratories should adhere to. Laboratory medicine provides the data on which decisions are based – be it confirming an outbreak or checking whether a vaccination is effective. Especially in times of crisis, such as a pandemic, it becomes clear that authorities cannot act effectively without fast, reliable laboratories.

Of course, there are also discussions. Some find the rules of the IfSG too strict, for example when it comes to restrictions such as lockdowns. Others see laboratory capacity as a bottleneck when tests become scarce. But one thing is undisputed: The Infection Protection Act and laboratory medicine together form a strong team. The law sets the direction, the laboratories make it practicable. In this way, they not only protect individuals, but society as a whole – today and in the future.

Editorial office: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender note. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple references and gendered designations are avoided for the sake of better readability ected.