Zika virus infection and review of surveillance and control measures

On 20-21 April 2016 ECDC organised a meeting on ‘Zika virus infection and review of surveillance and control measures for strengthening regional cooperation regarding Zika virus and its possible spread in the EU’.

The objective of the meeting was to strengthen regional cooperation regarding Zika virus and its possible spread in the EU. Therefore, the meeting brought together representatives from countries where competent vectors have been identified to share their experiences and refine their strategies.
 
The scope of the meeting focussed on the epidemiological parameters of interest for the assessment of the risk to continental EU, on vectors’ characteristics and on strategies to prevent the establishment of transmission in continental EU. The meeting did not cover specifically issues related to the complications of the Zika infections, nor case management, laboratory diagnostic or prevention.
 
In total, 47 participants from ten EU Member States and seven EU candidate and potential candidate countries including epidemiologists and entomologists and other relevant stakeholders (EC, WHO, US CDC). Additional scientists were invited to share their expertise with the group.
 

The main conclusions were:

• Knowledge of Zika virus was limited at the start of the outbreak in the Americas but is growing. ECDC Rapid Risk Assessments are useful documents summarising current knowledge.
• Human surveillance in the EU should focus on imported cases in receptive areas and on exposed pregnant women. ECDC is collecting data on European cases through TESSy and epidemic intelligence.
• The experience gained with dengue and chikungunya response in the EU can be used for Zika virus response. Guidance on vector control – based on the current practices – at EU level is needed to help Member States implement vector control.
• In order to share good practices, a meeting will be organised at the end of the mosquito season to review lessons learnt.

For more information and latest ECDC updates see the Zika outbreak in the Americas and the Caribbean page.