The flu epidemic is worsening in Switzerland

14.01.09 17:31

The flu epidemic is worsening significantly in Switzerland. The number of conditions for influenza has increased in one week from 10 to 17 per thousand, reveals the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) on its website.

(ATS) Extrapolated to the entire population, this represents 161 cases of influenza disease to 100,000 people during the second week of 2009. This far exceeds the epidemic threshold set at 48 per 100,000 people, has shown the sentinel surveillance system.

The whole country is concerned. In the region Bern, Jura, Freiburg, the activity is considered high, meaning that 30 to 50% of physicians with the system Sentinella diagnosed influenza disease. Elsewhere in Switzerland, the influenza virus is still active: at least half of the reporting doctors have treated patients who were suffering.

"The vaccine offered this year is a very good protection," said Tobias Eckert, a doctor at the FOPH. It covers almost all types of viruses in circulation. It is very late to use them again, "said Eckert. According to him, the flu epidemic is expected to grow: "Usually, a wave lasts six to ten weeks."