Department of Health Canton of Zurich

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Objectives</h3> We aimed to describe recent epidemiological trends of SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus (A/B), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, using data from the Sentinella network for primary care consultations, hospital-based surveillance at Geneva University Hospitals and municipal wastewater surveillance conducted by Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology. <h3>Methods</h3> We described the temporal trends in weekly SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus (A/B), and RSV infections among primary care consultations, hospitalized patients and the mean normalized viral load per week for SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus (A/B), and RSV from wastewater samples between 1 July 2022 and 30 April 2025. We used Kendall's rank correlation (τ) to assess the correlation between the viral RNA loads in wastewater and SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and RSV infections among hospitalized patients between 1 September 2024 and 30 April 2025. <h3>Results</h3> The period from September 2024 to April 2025 was the first extended winter season since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which SARS-CoV-2 activity remained consistently lower than previous seasons across all surveillance systems. In contrast, influenza activity was higher than in recent prior winter seasons. There was a decrease in the number of RSV hospitalizations during the 2024–2025 winter season. The associations between wastewater loads and infections were significant and positive for SARS-CoV-2 (τ = 0.75; p <0.01), influenza A (τ = 0.80; p <0.01), and RSV (τ = 0.68; p <0.01). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our findings contribute to understanding the evolving epidemiology of COVID-19 in relation to the two other respiratory viruses (influenza and RSV) across complementary surveillance systems.

The effects of calcium salts, including calcium chloride and calcium carbonate, as well as the phenols gallic acid and ellagic acid, on the activity of two commercial asparaginases were first studied in a model system and then in the production of fried potato chips to mitigate harmful acrylamide. In the model system, calcium carbonate, gallic acid, and ellagic acid enhanced the hydrolysis of asparagine. This promoting effect was also observed for potato chips. When asparaginase was applied together with both calcium salts or phenols in an immersion step before frying, the hydrolysis of asparagine increased compared to using asparaginase alone. These combinations were also effective in acrylamide mitigation in fried chips under moderate conditions for immersion (2.5 min at 45 °C), resulting in an overall decrease of 76−93%. Calcium salts alone prevented acrylamide formation by about 35%, the phenols by 38−43%, and asparaginase treatment alone by 51−62%. The combinations save costs by allowing lower concentrations of asparaginase and additives while minimizing the impact on the sensory properties of the final product. Thus, such combinations of asparaginase with calcium salts or phenols present an attractive option for continued minimization of acrylamide and improvement on food safety.

Observation remains the recommended management approach for low-risk prostate cancer (PCa), aiming to balance oncological control and avoidance of overtreatment. This study investigated the use of observation and its association with patients' socioeconomic position (SEP), age, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level on treatment choice in Switzerland. This cohort study analyzed Gleason score 6 PCa diagnoses in 2020 and 2021 from the Swiss National Agency for Cancer Registration dataset. Variables included age, PSA value, residence, and treatment codes. Municipality-based SEP deciles were linked to patients. Multivariable regression assessed the associations between SEP and observational management. Of 4296 men, 2876 (65.4%) received observational management, 792 (18.0%) underwent active treatment, and management was unknown in 728 (16.6%). Compared with men from low SEP areas, those from middle (odds ratio [OR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92-1.35) and high SEP (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.06-1.58) areas had higher odds of observation. Men aged 60-70yr (OR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.24-1.89) and >70yr (OR 2.10, 95% CI: 1.68-2.62) were more likely to undergo observation than those aged <60yr. PSA 5-10ng/ml (OR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55-0.82) and >10ng/ml (OR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.46-0.78) were associated with lower odds of observation compared with PSA <5ng/ml. Most men diagnosed with localized low-risk PCa in Switzerland underwent observational management as the primary strategy in 2020 and 2021. However, at least 18% of men still received active treatment. Lower SEP, younger age, and higher PSA values were risk factors for active treatment within low-risk PCa patients. We looked at how men in Switzerland with low-risk prostate cancer were treated in 2020 and 2021. We found that most men chose observation instead of immediate treatment, but men with lower socioeconomic position, younger age, or higher prostate-specific antigen levels were more likely to have active treatment. This suggests that there are opportunities to reduce unnecessary treatment for certain patient groups.

Abstract This study focused on using natural plant extracts to mitigate the process contaminant acrylamide in fried potato chips, with an emphasis on industrial applicability. Extracts from various plants were tested in a model system for screening purposes. Green tea extract was found to be the most suitable extract for pre-frying treatments, because of its potential to mitigate acrylamide and its good water solubility. For two different green tea extracts, immersion at room temperature (25 °C) for a short time (1.5 min) and at a low concentration (0.1 g L –1 ) resulted in a decrease of acrylamide by 40% under laboratory-scale and by 28% under scaled-up conditions, while higher and lower temperatures were ineffective for acrylamide mitigation. A sensory evaluation with 26 participants confirmed the suitability of the treatment. Interestingly, using catechins present in green tea (epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin) instead of green tea extract increased acrylamide levels, which may be due to the oxidation of these phenols. Immersion in green tea extract prior to frying is a promising approach to lower acrylamide contents in fried chips.

Abstract Measles outbreaks remain a significant public health challenge despite high vaccination coverage in many regions. Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) offers a non-invasive and community-level approach to monitoring the circulation of pathogens, including the measles virus. Here, we retrospectively applied a duplex digital PCR assay to distinguish between wild-type and vaccine strains of measles virus in wastewater samples available from an existing national WBS program. Samples originated from the wastewater treatment plant serving the Lausanne city catchment area, where an outbreak occurred before spreading to the broader Canton Vaud region. Despite high vaccination rates, viral loads of measles wild-type were detected during the first transmission event involving 21 cases identified within a week. However, viral loads were no longer detectable after the initial 21 cases, despite an additional 30 cases reported in the following three weeks, possibly due to lower incidence rate or location outside the catchment. Measles vaccine strain was not detected during the outbreak. Our results demonstrate the complementarity of WBS to clinical surveillance and suggest its potential as an early warning system for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Further improvements in assay sensitivity and integration with epidemiological data could enhance the utility of WBS for outbreak detection and control.SynopsisDemonstrating wastewater surveillance as a complementary tool for measles outbreak monitoring, enhancing public health responses in immunized populations.

In addition to the head impulse test, assessing positional and spontaneous nystagmus (SN) is essential for bedside testing in the ED (2,4). Wüthrich et al. conducted a systematic review of SN patterns from 39 studies, revealing that horizontal or horizontal-torsional SN is more common in peripheral etiologies (94.8% vs.43.4%, p<0.001), while torsional or vertical SN patterns are observed significantly more frequently in central disorders (15.1% vs. 2.6%, p<0.001).The HINTS+ test, while valuable, has limitations, particularly in the absence of SN during patient evaluation (3). To address this, Fracica et al. explored additional tools, such as smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movements, focusing on anterior and posterior circulation strokes. These tools may reveal highly localized findings that can distinguish between peripheral and central etiologies in some cases.Out-of-pattern symptoms may occur due to the anatomical complexity of the vasculature and pathways of the posterior fossa and inner ear (Fig. 1). For example, Koohi et al.

BackgroundMini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are validated and frequently used screening tools for cognitive function.AimsTo present MMSE and MoCA scores by sex, age and education among community-dwelling older adults.MethodsThis is a post-hoc observational analysis using data from the DO-HEALTH trial, which included generally healthy adults (≥ 70 years) from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Portugal who scored at least 24 points on the MMSE at baseline. We present MMSE and MoCA scores overall and by country, sex, age (70–74 years, ≥ 75 years), education (≤ and > median education years).Results2151 DO-HEALTH participants (mean age 74.9 years, 57% aged 70–74 years, 62% women) were included. The median (IQR) years of education was 12 (10–15), median MMSE score was 29 (28–30) and median MoCA score was 26 (23–28) points. In subgroups by sex, age, and education, the median MMSE score remained 29 for all subgroups, except for participants with shorter education (≤ 12 years) and higher age (≥ 75), who scored 28 points. For MoCA, the median score in subgroups ranged from 24 to 27 points. Participants with shorter education (≤ 12 years) and higher age (≥ 75) had lowest scores (men 24, women 25 points).ConclusionsWe provide MMSE and MoCA scores for generally healthy, community-dwelling older adults from Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France and Portugal. The median MMSE and MoCA scores differed with age and education, and – less consistently – with sex.Trial registrationInternational Trials Registry (clinicaltrials.gov; registration ID: NCT01745263), registered December 2012.

On‐site quantification and early‐stage infection risk assessment of airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) with high spatiotemporal resolution is a promising approach for mitigating the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic and informing life‐saving decisions. Here, a condensation (hygroscopic growth)‐assisted bioaerosol collection and plasmonic photothermal sensing (CAPS) system for on‐site quantitative risk analysis of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus‐laden aerosols is presented. The CAPS system provided rapid thermoplasmonic biosensing results after an aerosol‐to‐hydrosol sampling process in COVID‐19‐related environments including a hospital and a nursing home. The detection limit reached 0.25 copies/µL in the complex aerosol background without further purification. More importantly, the CAPS system enabled direct measurement of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus exposures with high spatiotemporal resolution. Measurement and feedback of the results to healthcare workers and patients via a QR‐code are completed within two hours. Based on a dose‐responseµ model, it is used the plasmonic biosensing signal to calculate probabilities of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection risk and estimate maximum exposure durations to an acceptable risk threshold in different environmental settings.

BackgroundIn Ticino, a canton located south of the Alps in Switzerland, a surveillance programme on Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) started in 2000 seeing that the region was considered at high risk of introduction based on the rapid spread of this mosquito in neighbouring Italy.MethodsThe surveillance programme, which is still ongoing, was adapted continuously to handle preventive measures of arrival, dispersal and establishment of this invasive species. The monitoring was based on ovitraps supported by reports from the population. The integrated control measures included removal of breeding sites, larvicide applications with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis or diflubenzuron and, in some circumstances, adulticide applications with permethrin. These measures involved citizens, municipalities and Civil Protection Units.ResultsAe. albopictus was first observed in 2003 in Ticino. We describe the strategies adopted and their adaptations to the evolving problem since year 2000. The approach used allowed keeping the mosquito densities at tolerable levels and below the threshold of autochthonous Ae. albopictus borne disease transmission. During the surveillance period, new typologies of breeding sites for Ae. albopictus have been discovered.ConclusionsIt was worth tackling the arrival of Ae. albopictus and adopting immediate control measures, followed by regular control measures after its establishment. Early intervention and prevention of the possible spread of the tiger mosquito over the territory avoided facing a crisis situation. This also reduced the difficulty of managing the situation and probably also reduced the overall cost if this had not been put in place.