DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Switzerland threatened by the return of tropical diseases, experts say
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Switzerland threatened by the return of tropical diseases, experts say

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

What are the top worries among people in Switzerland?What are the top worries among people in Switzerland?
Number of hay fever suffers in Switzerland set to soar thanks to climate changeNumber of hay fever suffers in Switzerland set to soar thanks to climate change
New Swiss parliament starts first session: 6 key issues to knowNew Swiss parliament starts first session: 6 key issues to know
Man discovers mammoth tooth while kayaking on Swiss riverMan discovers mammoth tooth while kayaking on Swiss river
Climate change "played a role" in Blatten landslide, says ETHClimate change "played a role" in Blatten landslide, says ETH
Canton Zurich beset by a plague of invasive antsCanton Zurich beset by a plague of invasive ants
SBB to scan its trains for asbestosSBB to scan its trains for asbestos
Swiss rail providers announce nationwide measures to protect "railway" owlsSwiss rail providers announce nationwide measures to protect "railway" owls
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Aug 16, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) has warned that previously unheard of diseases like malaria, zika virus and dengue fever could spread to the alpine nation. It follows similar warnings from Germany, with experts predicting that changes to the weather, caused by climate change, will allow more disease-carrying insects to flourish in Central and Northern Europe.

Climate change to bring diseases back to Europe

In an interview with German news site Spiegel, the president of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, warned that "a return of malaria to Germany is possible." Soon after, Swiss TPH director Jürg Utzinger told 20 minuten that the same assessment can be applied to Swiss cantons and cities.

"Because of the warmer summers and milder winters, mosquito species that can transmit tropical diseases are also spreading in this country," Utzinger noted. Despite being practically unheard of in Switzerland today, malaria was only eradicated in the country at the end of 19th century, after many large swamps and flood plains were drained.

Utzinger said that today, “There are major renaturation projects on rivers - flora and fauna are being given more space again.” While good for biodiversity, urban gardens and regeneration projects can promote the spread of various mosquito species, he explained. 

Malaria and Zika-carrying mosquitos already present in Switzerland

The director noted that the Anopheles mosquito - the one which most commonly carries malaria - is already present in Switzerland. However, for there to be an outbreak, “The pathogen would have to get to Europe, for example via infected people." “Since we can treat sick people easily, a widespread outbreak of malaria is very unlikely today," he assured.

In contrast to malaria, Utzinger admitted that the Tiger mosquito - carrier of dengue and zika virus - poses a far different and in some ways greater challenge for hospitals and healthcare in Switzerland. Alongside using pesticides, Utzinger confirmed that they were analysing and applying the results of a study from Ticino, which released 10.000 sterile mosquitoes into the countryside to try and limit their population.

By Jan de Boer