During Week 15, 8-14 April 2012, ECDC monitored the possible public health threats to citizens and residents in the European Union (EU).

ECDC continues to examine and assess the risk of infection from batches of ViaSpan®, a solution used for the preservation of kidney, liver and pancreas before transplantation, following a manufacturer recall on 30 March.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) issued a voluntary precautionary recall of all batches produced since 4 July 2011 after reports of potential contamination with Bacillus cereus. No cases of B. cereus infection following transplantation have been reported to date. BMS provided ECDC with further information and ECDC has updated its assessment accordingly but its fundamental conclusions are not altered.

The number of cases of measles continues to rise across Europe, notably in the ongoing outbreaks in parts of Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom. In other EU Member States the reported numbers are lower so far this year than those reported for the corresponding period last year. Transmission seems to be following the traditional seasonal pattern.

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