ECDC has published Summary of Public health threats, CDTR week 44/2016. Click or tap through to download the full report and use the links. The summary:
The ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) is a weekly bulletin for epidemiologists and health professionals about active public health threats. This issue covers the period 30 October to 5 November 2016 and includes updates on West Nile virus, enteroviruses and influenza.
West Nile virus
This week, one new case of West Nile fever has been reported from Bucharest, Romania.
During the June-to-November transmission season, ECDC monitors the situation in EU Member States and neighbouring countries in order to inform the blood safety authorities of areas affected by West Nile fever and changes in the epidemiology of the disease.
Enteroviruses
In early November, Sweden confirmed eight cases with symptoms similar to acute flaccid myelitis whereof 4 with confirmed enterovirus D68.
Since April 2016, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom (Wales) have reported various severe Enterovirus infections and some have also increased enterovirus detections (the Netherlands and Germany) compared to previous years. The increased detections of enteroviruses associated with neurological symptoms in EU/EEA countries are notable in terms of the severity of symptoms of the reported cases.
ECDC published a rapid risk assessment on 8 August 2016.
Influenza
Activity remained low in the region, with few samples testing positive for influenza viruses (2% of sentinel samples). Levels are similar to those observed for the same period in recent seasons.
Influenza transmission in Europe shows a seasonal pattern, with peak activity during winter months. ECDC monitors influenza activity in Europe during the winter season.
ECDC publishes its weekly report on the Flu News Europe website.
