Neonatal herpes simplex virus infections in Switzerland: results of a 6-year national prospective surveillance study

A large variation in neonatal herpes incidence is observed in USA and Europe. Better knowledge of neonatal herpes epidemiology is important to inform local prevention strategies. Between 2002 and 2008, the Swiss Paediatric Surveillance Unit reported prospectively proven neonatal herpes simplex virus infections. During the study period seven cases were declared, for an incidence of 1.6/100 000 (95% CI 0.64–3.28/100 000) live births. This is one of the lowest incidences of neonatal herpes reported.