They say this can be explained by geographical factors, since Switzerland’s lakes and mountains form a natural barrier with the outside world. Another factor is that Switzerland does not belong to the European Union, and since it has its own rules on agricultural trade, 96% of pork consumed in the country is locally produced. In developed countries, most hepatitis E cases are caused by eating undercooked meat, particularly pork and game.
Infection with the hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute hepatitis and jaundice in the world. The main cause worldwide is contaminated water, according to the World Health OrganizationExternal link.
Sickness causes fever, muscular and abdominal pains, loss of appetite and nausea. More than 90% of infections do not cause symptoms and most patients recover without medical treatment.
There are many different genotypes of this virus, capable of infecting a large number of animals and humans.
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New blood tests to screen for hepatitis E
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A new test to screen blood donations for the hepatitis E virus is to be introduced by the Swiss Blood Transfusion Service.
Swiss football boss wants crackdown on individual hooligans
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The head of the Swiss Football League says he prefers a harsher approach to individual hooligans rather than collective punishment measures affecting all fans.
Amherd: Council of Europe is ‘as urgently needed as ever’
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The Swiss government emphasised on Sunday the vital role of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe, 75 years after it was founded.
Swiss minister: Italy will back Switzerland in EU talks
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Bern can count on the backing of Italy as it re-enters talks with the European Union on future relations, Viola Amherd says.
Student protestors at University of Lausanne continue pro-Palestine sit-in
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Since Thursday, a hall on campus has been occupied by students calling for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and a ceasefire in Gaza.
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Swiss public broadcasters RTS and SRF are drastically reducing their communications via the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Israel: president of Swiss universities rejects academic boycott
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Luciana Vaccaro, president of Swissuniversities, the umbrella group of Swiss universities, is not in favour of an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
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Steep jump in hepatitis cases recorded in 2017
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The number of cases of hepatitis A recorded in Switzerland more than doubled in 2017, according to the Federal Office of Public Health.
Electro-stimulation helps paraplegic patients walk again
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Researchers in Switzerland have helped three paraplegic patients walk through electrical stimulation of the spinal cord using a wireless implant.
Swiss clinic pioneers laser-guided epilepsy surgery
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Surgeons at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) have successfully treated an epilepsy patient using a high precision thermal therapy.
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