Federal Office of Public Health expecting peak in flu cases

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has warned that winter flu cases in Switzerland have not yet peaked. RSV cases are also spreading across the country during these colder months. 

Seasonal flu cases yet to peak in Switzerland 

Flu season, when viruses spread faster and more widely in the winter months, is well and truly upon us in Switzerland. So much so that the FOPH has warned that it is still expecting the peak of this year’s winter wave of flu. 

Symptoms typically include a high temperature, a cough, sore throat, headache and muscle pain. It can easily spread in places like schools, on public transport or in the workplace.

According to the latest figures from the FOPH, there were 33,5 per 100.000 people laboratory-confirmed cases in the first week of 2026. This was 4,6 percent fewer cases than the previous week, due to a reporting delay caused by the Christmas holidays, reports Blick.

Despite this, the FOPH predicts that this flu season “is one of the larger ones”. Flu, or influenza, virus subtypes found include “A(H3N2)” and “A(H1N1)pdm09”, along with a new strain “H3N2” which doesn’t yet provide “evidence of increased severity in infections”.

Flu cases highest in Schaffhausen

The highest number of cases per 100.000 people was in the canton of Schaffhausen (66,54), followed by Basel-Stadt (61,57) and Jura (56,12). The fewest number of cases were reported in Appenzell Ausserrhoden (8,82), Obwalden (12,61) and Uri (15,68).

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), which can cause lung and respiratory tract infections, continues to spread across the country, with predictions that it will be at similar levels to the 2024/5 flu season. In comparison, the number of COVID-19 cases peaked in autumn 2025 and has been in decline ever since. 

Swiss National Flu Vaccination Day takes place each year in November, where citizens and residents can get a flu jab without having to book an appointment at a doctor or a pharmacy. Certain higher-risk groups, such as people aged 65 or over and pregnant women, are recommended to have the flu jab.