The reason is the increase in cases of West Nile virus, which has been recorded in neighbouring France and Italy as well as southeastern European countries.
Swiss health authorities have introduced a 30-day waiting period for potential donors who have just returned from a country where the virus has been reported. The virus spreads via migratory birds and local mosquitoes. The incubation period is ten days, and infected people often show no symptoms.
So far there have been no reports of West Nile virus in Switzerland this year. If five cases are reported, the Federal Office of Public HealthExternal link will require that every blood donor be tested.
Related Stories
Popular Stories
More
International Geneva
A Geneva-based global health foundation came close to ‘collapse’. Where were regulators?
This content was published on
The Swiss Senate does not want Switzerland to recognise the state of Palestine at present. On Tuesday it rejected an initiative by canton Geneva calling for this.
UBS economists not expecting a recession in Switzerland
This content was published on
If US tariffs remain at the current level, Swiss GDP growth could be noticeably lower than previously assumed, according to a UBS study. However, a recession is not expected.
This content was published on
On average, employees in Switzerland have received a significant pay rise this year. This is higher than the expected inflation rate, which should leave more money in their wallets at the end of the day.
Wolf thought to have been shot illegally in Graubünden
This content was published on
A wolf suspected of having been killed illegally was found in the southeastern Swiss valley of Poschiavo on Monday. Criminal proceedings are now being initiated.
Principle of non-violent parenting enshrined in Swiss law
This content was published on
Parents must bring up children without the use of violence. This principle is now explicitly enshrined in the Swiss Civil Code.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
New blood tests to screen for hepatitis E
This content was published on
A new test to screen blood donations for the hepatitis E virus is to be introduced by the Swiss Blood Transfusion Service.
This content was published on
Soon, scientists in Zurich will be infecting exotic mosquitoes found in Switzerland to see if they can transmit the Zika virus to humans.
This content was published on
Homosexual men will be authorised to give blood starting July 1, 2017. Donors must nevertheless have been sexually abstinent for 12 months.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.