Infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continued to decline in Switzerland in 2021. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) recorded 318 cases last year, down from an average of 1,300 cases a year in the 1990s.
The 318 cases are well below the 500 mark for the fifth year in a row. This is because HIV-infected people know their situation and are receiving treatment, while people at risk protect themselves through chemoprophylaxis (taking medication to prevent disease or infection).
At the end of 2021 at least 4,000 people, mainly gay men, were taking this pre-exposure prophylaxis administered as a pill. People with a positive HIV result are treated quickly and effectively so that they no longer pass on the virus.
Last year 93% of all people living with HIV in Switzerland had been diagnosed, 96% of those diagnosed were undergoing drug therapy and 97% of those receiving treatment no longer had HIV in their blood. Switzerland has thus met the 90% targets of the World Health Organization and UNAIDS for each of the three categories since 2012.
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The mayor of the Swiss town of Porrentruy, which has been in the headlines in neighbouring France after restricting access to a pool to locals after a spate of anti-social behaviour, says he has received much support in recent days.
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This summer researchers at Swiss universities will make available a large language model (LLM), an AI programme trained on vast amounts of data, developed on public infrastructure.
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After a one-year test phase, Zurich's cantonal police are introducing an online police station. Demand is high and the response from the public has been positive.
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The chic resort of St Moritz in southeastern Switzerland has registered "summer" as a trademark under the name "St Summer". The resort in canton Graubünden is launching a campaign to strengthen its summer business.
Swiss authorities detail progress on station access for people with reduced mobility
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The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) said on Wednesday that 43 stations had been adapted for people with reduced mobility last year. The vast majority of rail travellers (82%) now benefit from easier access to stations, it says.
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The prices of homes and apartments in Switzerland rose again in June. In the Lake Geneva region, prices of detached houses rose sharply. Meanwhile, in Zurich and its surrounding region the opposite trend was observed.
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Switzerland's main airports are preparing for a busy summer holiday period. A number of changes have been introduced to improve passenger flows that are expected to be well above average in July and August.
Zurich police arrest 38 football and hockey fans after violent incidents
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Zurich police have investigated 48 cases of fan violence at stadiums in the Swiss city since last autumn and arrested a total of 38 people, Swiss public television, SRF, reports.
Cashflow problems affect UN Human Rights Council activities
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Certain activities of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council cannot be carried out in 2025-2026 due of the ongoing cash crisis affecting the UN.
Plaintiffs take Khaled Nezzar case to European Court of Human Rights
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Two plaintiffs in a serious war crimes case against former Algerian Defence Minister Khaled Nezzar have filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.
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Self-testing HIV kit goes on sale in Switzerland
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The first officially approved HIV home tests will go on sale on Tuesday, the Federal Office of Public Health announced on Monday.
‘First time’ at 16 for most Swiss, sex survey finds
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A survey has found that 16 was the average age for the first sexual encounter – typically with a condom. One in ten reported having an STD.
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Ruedi Lüthy, a Swiss doctor who cares for HIV patients in Zimbabwe, has won an award from the International Society for Human Rights.
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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.