Rodent plague, a bacterial infection, is spreading among people in Switzerland. A growing number of incidents with tick bites has been recorded over the past few years.
The Federal Health OfficeExternal link counted 130 confirmed cases of tularemia last year, according to Swiss public radio, SRF. This is four times more than usual.
The authorities called on doctors to report all such cases. A decision on coordinated campaign measures will be taken later this year.
Experts say the disease can be treated with antibiotics, but it can be deadly if not detected in time.
The best precaution against rodent plague is for humans to protect against tick bites, according to the Federal Health Office.
The relatively little-known disease in rabbits and other wild animals is apparently transmitted to humans by contact with infected animal tissue and ticks.
Typical symptoms include fever, headaches, muscle pain, enlarged lymph nodes and red spots on the skin, according to medical sourcesExternal link.
More
More
Cute rodent appears on postcards and plates
This content was published on
Their fat faces grace postcards; their fat is used in salves. In Switzerland, the marmot is part mascot, part medicine chest and part meal.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
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
Meningitis cases from tick bites on the rise in Switzerland
This content was published on
More people in Switzerland have contracted meningitis from tick bites so far this year than at any point in the last decade, according to federal health officials. They are emphasising the need for vaccines to prevent the disease. Speaking with the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, Daniel Koch of the Federal Health Office called the increase in meningitis…
This content was published on
Soon, scientists in Zurich will be infecting exotic mosquitoes found in Switzerland to see if they can transmit the Zika virus to humans.
This content was published on
Switzerland is on track to see the most cases of measles in years in 2017. The problem just won't go away, as data shows.
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.