A teenager has been diagnosed with a form of diphtheria at a centre for asylum seekers in canton Neuchâtel – the latest in a series of diphtheria cases in Switzerland this August.
Medical tests were undertaken on the adolescent in the Boudry asylum centre after he presented suspicious skin symptoms, the Neuchâtel cantonal authorities saidExternal link in a statement on Saturday. He is being treated in hospital, following the confirmation of skin diphtheria. His condition is stable, officials said.
As a preventive measure, the other asylum seekers and members of staff are to be given three days of antibiotic prophylaxis and a booster vaccination. There is no risk to the general population, the authorities stressed.
“In view of other cases in Switzerland, the centre’s staff were careful to diagnose such situations quickly and immediately informed the cantonal doctor,” the statement said.
Other cases
On August 3, the authorities reported eight cases of the more dangerous throat diphtheriaExternal link at an asylum centre in the Swiss capital Bern – the first known cases of this form of the bacterial infection in Switzerland in nearly 40 years. Yesterday another case of throat diphtheriaExternal link was reported at the Federal Asylum Centre in Kreuzlingen, around a week after two cases of the milder skin variant were detected.
Diphtheria of the throat rarely occurs in Western Europe, where children for decades have been vaccinated against the highly contagious bacterial infection.
However, diphtheria is still common in developing countries, according to experts.
The last known case of throat diphtheria in Switzerland was recorded in 1983, according to the Federal Office of Public Health.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.
More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
This content was published on
A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss accident prevention group sees federal targets at risk
This content was published on
The Swiss government's target for accident figures is at risk, reckons Mario Cavegn, member of the executive board of the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention.
Feminicide: Swiss justice minister calls for electronic monitoring
This content was published on
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans has called for electronic monitoring and an ankle bracelet warning system for perpetrators of violence against women.
This content was published on
American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Cases of diphtheria reported in Switzerland
This content was published on
Several people have been infected with diphtheria at a centre for asylum seekers – the first cases of the infection in Switzerland in nearly 40 years.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.