A pandemic can also occur in Nidwalden at any time

Olten military hospital during the Spanish flu. (Photo: private property Josef Würsch, Beckenried)

10,000 patients, 260 hospitalizations, 39 intensive care patients, 42 deaths: The figures calculated by the Federal Office of Public Health of the canton of Nidwalden in the event of a severe influenza pandemic are sobering. Nowadays? The Spanish flu, the last major influenza pandemic (an epidemic affecting a large area), was endemic 100 years ago. But whoever thinks you are safe nowadays, thinks you are in false security. "We have to be prepared for a pandemic with the same level of damage to happen at any time," says Volker Zaugg, head of the public health department in Nidwalden. This is what HIV, SARS, avian and swine flu, the Zika virus and the Ebola virus have shown in the past.

But he reassured: "Today, we are much better prepared than during the Spanish flu, we have at best a vaccine and the health and nutritional status of the population are much better compared to 1918 In addition, we can inform ourselves in real time about global events. "Forecasts for such events are also possible in contrast to those of that time. In an emergency, pandemic planning by the federal government sets the tone. The question then would be how does this virus spread throughout the world, how to prevent it and possibly combat it medically. A cantonal emergency organization would be created and, if necessary, a vaccination center, allowing many people to be vaccinated as quickly and centrally as possible.

Learning effect caused by swine flu

The cantonal hospital in Nidwald plays the role of provider in the event of a pandemic and fears that all the sick people can not be treated, whether it is in intensive care or common room.

The swine flu, which kept health authorities on the run about ten years ago, has certainly made a major contribution to the management of pandemics among the population. Since then, the use of hygiene masks and examination gloves has become commonplace, according to Zaugg. Virtually all public institutions have been sensitized in the hygiene sector. "So you've changed to disposable towels, disinfection of hot spots is now known to all caretakers, for example, there are disinfectants in all reception centers or hospitals."

Government bans theatrical performances

In 1918, the Spanish flu hit Switzerland in two waves: the summer wave of July / August was still mild, the autumn wave peaked in October and November of the same year with extreme violence. The Spanish flu killed 24,500 people throughout Switzerland, including around 100 in Nidwalden, for a population of around 14,000. In October 1918, more than 1,300 cases of influenza were reported in Nidwalden. The Spanish flu has killed more than 50 million people worldwide. This pandemic surprised Switzerland at a very bad time. In summer, food supplies collapsed because of the war, and in November, internal tensions erupted in a state strike, as historian Andreas Tscherrig wrote in the news. November book titled "Nidwalden in the First World War".

Special attention has been given to hygiene. "Avoid contact with other people", was a rhetorical brochure. From July 22, 1918, the Council of the Government forbade, under pain of sanction, all theatrical representations, the changes of cinemas, the concerts and the spectacles of dance. To prevent the spread of this disease, schools were closed as a precaution.

The big challenge was to welcome patients with influenza who, for whatever reason, could not be treated at home. The local board objected to the creation of an "isolation house" in Stans – in part because he felt that transporting patients to Stans was too dangerous for patients . Instead, communities have worked in schools, vacant private apartments or restaurants in temporary hospitals for the flu. In 1919, the situation gradually became defused.