Flu cases in Switzerland remain high despite slight drop

Flu epidemic in Switzerland stagnates at a high level Keystone-SDA

The flu epidemic in Switzerland is plateauing at a high level. The number of reported cases fell slightly last week, but health authorities say it’s too early to tell whether the outbreak has peaked.

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Last week, 27.51 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza per 100,000 people were recorded in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, a 24.5% fall compared with the previous week, according to data released by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health on Wednesday. In total, 2,501 cases were reported.

By canton, the highest number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people was recorded in Basel City (60.08), followed by Jura (45.43) and Solothurn (43.13). The lowest rates were in Schwyz (10.66), Obwalden (12.61) and Zug (14.21).

According to the authorities, the viral load detected in wastewater is holding steady at a high level, with declines only seen in Geneva and Lugano. Outpatient visits for acute respiratory infections have also risen again after dropping over the holiday period.

A recently emerged strain of influenza – subclade K of subtype H3N2 – is now circulating in Switzerland, as it is in many other countries. Health authorities say there is currently no evidence that infections with this strain are more severe.

Translated from German by AI/sp

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