Communicable diseases
Here you’ll find information on communicable diseases and pathogens that cause disease (infectious diseases): definitions, vaccination and prevention, incidence, monitoring and surveillance, recommended measures, and strategies to tackle antibiotic resistance.
Infectious diseases: Outbreaks, Epidemics, Pandemics
Viruses and bacteria are everywhere. Infectious diseases spread even in our age of modern medicine. What constitutes an outbreak? An epidemic or pandemic? Are there epidemics currently happening? What should I do in the event of a pandemic? In this section you’ll find definitions, the latest figures (for example on flu) and our recommendations.
Outbreak
In terms of infectious diseases an outbreak means a sudden increase in the incidence of a specific disease within a delimited community, region or season. A single case can also constitute an outbreak if the disease has never occurred before or not for a long time.
Outbreaks usually involve diseases that spread via contaminated water or food. In Switzerland, for example, various strains of salmonella and noroviruses repeatedly lead to outbreaks.
The origin of the outbreak (technical term: source) can be worked out by means of an outbreak investigation. This involves interviewing the people affected or doing molecular biological typing on the pathogens. Once found, the source should be remediated or eradicated. As a rule this puts a stop to the outbreak.
Epidemic
An epidemic is when an infectious disease occurs very frequently within a delimited area and for a limited time. In Switzerland this happens on a seasonal basis with diseases such as the flu, Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne meningitis (TBE or early summer meningoencephalitis), and in predominantly urban regions, for example with sexually transmitted diseases.
Our role at the FOPH is to analyse cases of this sort, assess the risks and draw up epidemiological reports as the basis for vaccination recommendations, control strategies and prevention programmes.
Pandemic
A pandemic is when a specific infectious disease spreads in many countries or continents. It can put a large portion of the world’s population at risk. The most significant are flu pandemics, which are caused by influenza viruses and can occur at any time. AIDS is often also described as a pandemic.
In Switzerland we’re prepared for a flu pandemic with a pandemic plan. We provide businesses with a handbook and the general public with recommendations for hygiene.
Whether it’s an outbreak, epidemic or pandemic, when it comes to internationally relevant events Switzerland works closely with other countries and international organisations.
Current outbreaks and epidemics
What epidemics are spreading worldwide? What outbreaks are currently occurring in Switzerland? The FOPH publishes current status reports, FAQs and recommendations for the public on selected infectious diseases in Switzerland and abroad.
Combating infectious diseases
Communicable diseases pose a risk to public health. Part of our core remit is to monitor these diseases, from early detection to controlling their spread. We also formulate strategies to address the problem of resistance.
Pandemic preparedness
Given the risk of a pandemic, the federal and cantonal authorities have planned measures for its prevention and response.
Post COVID-19 condition
Persistent effects of a COVID-19 infection (“long Covid”) are referred to as post COVID-19 condition. Here you can find information on this condition, as well as details of consultation sessions and rehabilitation programmes.
Communicable Diseases Legislation – Epidemics Act, (EpidA)
The Epidemics Act aims to ensure that communicable diseases are detected, monitored, prevented and controlled at an early stage and helps to better manage disease outbreaks with a high risk potential.
Infectious Diseases Dashboard (IDD)
Every Wednesday, the IDD provides information on cases of infection and illness in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein caused by various pathogens.
Combatting infectious diseases
Communicable diseases pose a risk to public health. Part of our core remit is to monitor these diseases, from early detection to controlling their spread. We also formulate strategies to address the problem of resistance. We perform these tasks in close partnership with the cantons and international health authorities.
Antibiotic resistance
What you need to know about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance.
Reporting systems for infectious diseases
The reporting systems ensure the early detection of disease outbreaks and allow to take measures to prevent and control infectious diseases.
Travel and mosquitoes: how to protect yourself from illness
Travellers to tropical and subtropical regions are at particular risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, Zika or malaria.
Further topics
COVID-19
Information on COVID-19, the symptoms and the range of illness severity as well as the origin of the coronavirus.
Diseases from A to Z
Infectious diseases or communicable diseases (e.g. flu, measles, HIV, borreliosis) and non-communicable diseases (e.g. diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular diseases): Information on this you can find in this section.
Health promotion & prevention
Vaccinations and preventive healthcare can eliminate or reduce illness and the resulting costs. That’s why we promote the health literacy of people in Switzerland. A healthy lifestyle helps ensure good health.
Sexually transmitted infections
Here you can find out everything you need to know about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. How are they transmitted? How can you avoid infection? Where can you get counselling and testing?