The emergence of cholera in Haiti once again reminds us of the ferocity with which infectious diseases can strike and of the complex interactions of emerging infectious diseases with social conditions, human migration, and the ecosystem.

The overall objective is to improve early detection and response to outbreak of zoonotic diseases at the EU level through strengthened collaboration with the animal health sector and other agencies and organizations working at the animal-human interface.

In the context of the ongoing outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that affects by now citizens from 13 EU member states, it is crucial not only to align the efforts regarding investigation and control of the outbreak but also to share knowledge among practitioners across Europe on the patho-physiological and clinical characteristics of infection caused by this unusual epidemic strain, and review patient management options.

The seminar addressed issues such as the human cost of zoonoses, trends in food-borne diseases, challenges and lessons learnt from epidemiological investigations on the 2011 E.coli outbreak and salmonella controls.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the way forward for the EuroCJD surveillance network.

​The National Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) Research & Surveillance Unit of the University of Edinburgh organized two one-day information workshops on Real time quaking-induced conversion analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF RT QuIC) diagnostic technique for the investigation of sporadic CJD

WHO/Europe has been holding annual influenza surveillance meetings jointly with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) since 2011. This meeting brought together epidemiologists and virologists – the national influenza surveillance focal points – from 50 Member States to discuss national, regional and global surveillance related to seasonal influenza and novel influenza viruses, such as avian influenza A(H7N9).

​International experts working in the area of surveillance of foodborne zoonoses discussed the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) of foodborne pathogens in public health protection.

The EuroCJD meetings are held annually/biannually and constitute a valuable platform for: 1) the assessment of the latest scientific and diagnostic findings and developments in the field of CJD; 2) the assessment of their impact on the needs of future surveillance; and 3) sharing country-specific experience, case studies and public health activities.

Tonsil biopsy is an important tool to support diagnosis of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).