Many people in Switzerland are currently bedridden, with some sick for weeks. An infectious disease specialist explains why the flu wave started earlier and is more persistent than usual.
Already in the last week of November, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) reported 459 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza – almost twice as many as in the previous week, and more than twice as many as at the same time a year ago.
It is more than likely that more people are ill but have not consulted a doctor, so these undocumented cases are not included in the official database.
The FOPH recorded 5.05 cases of flu per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the figures published on December 3rd. In 2024, this figure was only 2.05 in the same calendar week.
This was then, what about now?
Only 13 days later, on December 16th, the number of officially registered cases tripled, with nearly 15 flu cases per 100,000 inhabitants recorded – having jumped from 34.5 from the previous week. Again, these were only the patients who were actually diagnosed; the number of those who did not seek medical help is much higher.
Based on this upward trend, many more cases are expected before the influenza season ends – typically around March or April.
And many will likely catch the virus sooner than that – according to the infectious diseases specialist Andreas Widmer, “experience shows that many people get infected during [indoor] New Year’s parties.
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Why has the flu struck Switzerland so hard this year?
Switzerland’s flu epidemic (and that of other countries in the Northern Hemisphere as well), follows Australia’s example.
The influenza season there peaks between June and August – winter months Down Under – which is a good indication of what we can expect up here.
And this year, the flu season in Australia was a record-breaking one.
“Since Australia experienced a severe flu season and record numbers of infections this year, the same is happening in Switzerland,” Widmer said.
Is it still worth getting a flu shot now?
Based on the principle of ‘better late than never’, Widmer said yes.
Though flu vaccinations are most effective if given in November, if you get vaccinated right now, “you reach peak protection after about ten to fourteen days,” he said.
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‘It’s such a nuisance’
This autumn’s flu wave inspired many patients to share their tales of woe on social media.
“I don’t know when I was last as sick as I am now,” said one Switzerland-based TikTok user, who added that everyone he knows is also suffering from the flu.
Others took to various online forums with their own stories.
For instance, Berkay (28) said he caught the flu four weeks ago.
“Since then, I’ve hardly felt any improvement,” he related on the forum of 20 Minuten news platform.
“This current flu is such a nuisance. Despite rest and medication, I can’t get rid of it.”
Marco (44) reports that although he had recovered from the flu within a week, he has been suffering from secondary effects – a very persistent cough – since then.