H5N1 Analysis Request Form : https://www.hug.ch/laboratoire-virologie/centre-national-reference-pour-infections-virales
In Switzerland, epidemiological and virological surveillance of the influenza virus (flu) is provided by the Sentinella reporting system (1986) and the mandatory reporting system. Since 2018, a third system monitors influenza in hospitalized patients.
Of the primary care physicians (general practitioners, internists and pediatricians) participating in the Sentinella reporting system, around a half address nasopharyngeal swabs taken from some of their patients with influenza-like illness* (ILI) to the National Reference Center of Influenza (NRCI). The latter the surveillance for SARS-CoV-2, for influenza A and B and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
*Case definition for suspected viral respiratory disease: 1) ARI (inclusion criterion): acute respiratory disease defined as "a disease that begins acutely with cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or cold, and of infectious origin according to the physician's judgement‘. This definition is consistent with the WHO definition of ’Acute Respiratory Infections‘ (ARI). 2) ILI (optional criterion): ’ sudden onset of high fever (>38°C) with cough or sore throat".
For samples that are positive for influenza A and/or B, a detailed characterization of the influenza viruses present in the sample will be performed (subtyping, antigenic proximity to vaccine strains, genotyping and identification of mutations associated with antiviral resistance).
On this page, you will find a report of the number of samples tested by the NRCI; as well as the results relative to viral characterization.
Report on the activity of influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV
Week 20/2025 to 41/2026 (last update: 15.10.2026)
Week 40 of 2026 marks the start of a new season of surveillance for respiratory viruses circulating amongst the population in Switzerland. During the summer, the circulation of respiratory viruses remained at a very low level, with a few sporadic detections of infections caused by the influenza A virus. Since week 38/2026, we have observed a few infections caused by SARS-CoV-2.
In week 41, the National Reference Centre for Influenza received 22 samples, of which 1 tested positive for influenza A and none for SARS-CoV-2 and RSV.
The circulation of respiratory viruses remains low amongst the Swiss population.
Note:
The data for the last two weeks are provisional.
The data are available on the FOPH dashboard for influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
The results of subtyping (A/H1N1 or A/H3N2) and lineage (B/Victoria or B/Yamagata) are available on the FOPH website here.
Contact :
For further information on the activity of human influenza viruses in Switzerland and on the different tests and methods used to characterize them contact Beryl Mazel-Sanchez, 022 372 40 82 or bmze@hug.ch
Useful links (accessed 04.09.2024):
Valuable information on the vaccine and influenza vaccination in Switzerland is available on the website www.sevaccinercontrelagrippe.ch
Sentinella system: http://www.sentinella.ch/fr/info
Mandatory reporting system : https://www.idd.bag.admin.ch/survey-systems/oblig
Avian influenza, current situation in Switzerland: https://www.blv.admin.ch/de/vogelgrippe
Flu News Europe: flunewseurope.org
Francis Crick Institute, Worldwide Influenza Centre : https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/platforms-and-facilities/worldwide-influenza-centre
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/teams/global-influenza-programme/surveillance-and-m…
Grippenet: https://fr.grippenet.ch
Réseau Sentinelles: https://websenti.u707.jussieu.fr/sentiweb/?page=maladies&mal=3
Robert Koch Institut, Influenza
AGES: https://www.ages.at/