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Eurosurveillance
Since 1995, Eurosurveillance has provided the European public health community with an open-access platform to exchange relevant findings on communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control. A weekly, electronic, peer-reviewed publication, Eurosurveillance aims to provide timely facts and guidance for public health professionals and decision-makers in the field of infectious disease to facilitate the implementation of effective prevention and control measures. Impact factor: 9.9. More...
Latest Issue: Volume 29, Issue 30, 25 July 2024 Latest Issue RSS feed
- Editorial
- Rapid communication
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Early rise of West Nile fever in Israel, June 2024
This report describes an unusual surge of West Nile fever in Israel in June 2024, during which 125 cases were diagnosed, compared with 4 cases on average during June in previous years (2014–23). Of the cases, 64 (62.1%) had neuroinvasive disease and 12 (9.6%) died; the 2024 case fatality rate was not significantly elevated vs the average rate in 2014–23. The early rise could be related to a temperature increase in spring and early summer of 2024.
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Strain-dependent variations in replication of European clade 2.3.4.4b influenza A(H5N1) viruses in bovine cells and thermal inactivation in semi-skimmed or whole milk
More LessWe investigated the thermostability of four European avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in whole and semi-skimmed milk and their replication in bovine kidney and lung cells amid the current influenza A(H5N1) dairy cattle outbreak in the United States. Results showed strain-dependent differences in thermal inactivation, particularly in whole milk, and variable replication efficacy in lung cells. These findings support assessing the inactivation of European H5N1 viruses in milk and their replication in bovine cells, aiding biosafety protocols and public health measures.
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- Surveillance
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Vacation in Egypt associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infection in children and adolescents, northern Italy, 2023
BackgroundHaemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a severe complication of infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Although the reservoirs of STEC are known, the source of the infection of sporadic cases is often unknown. In 2023, we observed several cases of bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection in children and adolescents returning from vacations.
AimWe aimed to explore the association between travel and bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection in children and adolescents.
MethodsWe included all children and adolescents with bloody diarrhoea with STEC infection identified in 2023 by the ItalKid-HUS Network surveillance system in northern Italy. We interviewed children’s families and sent a questionnaire on recent travels abroad. The exposure time was between 3 days after arrival abroad and 5 days after return home. A self-controlled case series (SCCS) design was used in the analysis.
ResultsOf the 43 cases, 11 developed HUS. Twenty-three cases did not travel abroad, while 20 had travelled to several destinations. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with travel to Egypt was 88.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.0–462). Serotype analysis excluded the possibility of a single strain causing the infections. We did not find the source of the infections.
FazitThere is an elevated risk of acquiring STEC infection with bloody diarrhoea and HUS associated with travel to Egypt. Specific investigations to identify the source are needed to implement effective preventive measures.
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- Forschung
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Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in the general population: results from a national survey, Romania, 2020 to 2023
EinführungA national study from 2006 to 2008 showed a high antibody prevalence of 3.2% against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Romania, but more recent epidemiological data on hepatitis C prevalence are lacking.
AimWe aimed to estimate the current prevalence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) and chronic HCV infection in the general adult population in Romania, as a crucial element in monitoring progress towards eliminating hepatitis C.
MethodsWe used anonymised leftover sera from a SARS-CoV-2 survey conducted between July and October 2020 (n = 2,100), supplemented with sera collected prospectively between July 2022 and March 2023 (n = 574). These included sera collected from adults visiting laboratories for routine medical check-ups. Sera were tested for anti-HCV and HCV core antigen and classified according to anti-HCV and chronic infection status.
ResultsOf the total 2,674 specimens tested, 44 were anti-HCV-positive with a weighted anti-HCV prevalence of 1.4% (95% CI: 1.0–1.9), and 29 were HCV core antigen-positive with a weighted prevalence of chronic infection of 0.9% (95% CI: 0.5–1.2). The prevalence of chronic infection did not differ significantly between men and women. It was higher in persons 60 years and older (2.0%; 95% CI: 1.1–3.0) and in specimens from the North-East region (2.2%; 95% CI: 0.8–3.7).
FazitAlthough the overall HCV prevalence in Romania is currently low, targeted screening, prevention measures and treatment scale-up are needed especially for the population 60 years and older and in the north-eastern part of the country to achieve the goal of ending the hepatitis C epidemic.
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Prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in the general population: results from a national survey, Estonia, July to December 2022
EinführungObtaining epidemiological data on chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is essential to monitor progress towards the hepatitis C elimination targets.
AimWe aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic HCV and the seroprevalence of HCV in the adult general population in Estonia.
MethodsThis cross-sectional study, conducted between 12 July and 6 December 2022, included anonymised residual sera collected prospectively from patients 18 years and older visiting a general practitioner in all counties of Estonia. Specimens were considered HCV-seropositive if they tested positive for HCV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunoassay, confirmed by line-immunoblot assay. Chronic HCV infection was determined by positive RT-qPCR.
ResultsWe tested a total of 4,217 specimens. The estimated HCV seroprevalence and prevalence of chronic HCV infection were 1.8% (95% CI: 1.4–2.2) and 0.8% (95% CI: 0.5–1.1), respectively, with ca 8,100 persons estimated to have chronic HCV infection in the general adult population of Estonia. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of chronic HCV infection were observed between sexes, counties or age groups, with the highest prevalence rates observed in men (sex ratio: 1.7), Ida-Virumaa County (1.8%; 95% CI: 0.8–3.6) and the age group 40–49 years (1.7%; 95% CI: 0.9–2.9).
FazitThis study found an overall low prevalence of chronic HCV infection in Estonia. Continued efforts should be made for the targeted screening, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with chronic HCV infection to achieve hepatitis elimination targets.
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