Seasonal flu wave hits Switzerland early

Switzerland has seen the arrival of the seasonal flu wave earlier than usual this year, according to figures from the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG). Last week, the country officially crossed the epidemic threshold, with 846 laboratory-confirmed flu cases reported across Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This represents a sharp increase of about 66 percent compared to the previous week, signaling a strong start to the season.

Nationwide, the BAG reported that 9.3 flu cases per 100,000 people were recorded, a figure that surpassed the epidemic marker two weeks earlier than last year. The highest case rates were observed in the cantons of Ticino (44.3), Valais (15.35), and Basel-Stadt (13.41), while the lowest rates were found in Schwyz (1.18), Schaffhausen (2.26), and Uri (2.61). BAG officials noted that while the early spike is not unusual, it could develop into a significant wave similar to the 2022/23 flu season, with the peak likely coming by mid-December.

In addition to flu, other respiratory viruses like RSV, as well as Covid-19, continue to circulate within Switzerland. The BAG highlighted a slight drop in Covid-19 cases last week, with flu infections now leading in numbers. Experts are underscoring the importance of flu vaccination, noting that it remains effective and that early fall is the best time to get vaccinated. The unusually mild flu wave in 2020/21 was attributed to pandemic restrictions, but with those measures now lifted, regular seasonal patterns have returned.