During Week 17, 22-28 April 2012, ECDC monitored the possible public health threats to citizens and residents in the European Union (EU).

ECDC continues to monitor measles in Europe. While there were no new outbreak or cluster detected in EU Member States, the latest update from the United Kingdom show that the number of cases is still increasing. The UK has already reported 1 206 suspected cases of measles so far this year in several ongoing outbreaks. One outbreak in the  Merseyside area is the largest in the north west of England since the MMR vaccine was introduced in 1988 with 186 confirmed  cases.

In relation to influenza, during week 16 all reporting countries experienced low-intensity influenza activity, except Slovakia which reported medium activity.

Among the non EU threats, the CDTR reports of a severe respiratory disease of unknown origin in Jordan. Eleven people are reported to have been affected by a respiratory disease in an intensive care unit in a Jordanian hospital, including one fatality. Most of the affected are said to be health care workers.

The weekly Communicable disease threats report provides a bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.

Read more on ECDC website:

Read the full ECDC communicable disease threats report (CDTR), week 17

European monthly measles monitoring, March 2012

ECDC rapid risk assessment on the measles outbreak in the Ukraine

Weekly Influenza Surveillance Overview, week 16