Flu cases hit epidemic level

The influenza wave has officially hit epidemic levels in Switzerland, according to the Federal Health Office.

In the fifth week of this year there were 86 suspected cases of flu for every 100,000 residents. The epidemic threshold level for 2012 is set at 67 cases.

Most flu victims are between 15 and 29 years old.

There have been fewer cases than in most other European countries and in the United States this winter.

The Federal Health Office says it cannot predict how this wave will develop. In 2011, the flu epidemic lasted about 13 weeks before subsiding in March.

During its worst week more than 300 people per 100,000 residents visited a doctor for flu symptoms.