Communicable disease threats report 7-13 April 2013, week 15
The ECDC communicable disease threats report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control. Summarising information gathered by ECDC through its epidemic intelligence activities regarding communicable disease threats of concern to the European Union, it also provides updates on the global situation and changes in the epidemiology of communicable diseases with potential to affect Europe, including diseases that are the focus of eradication efforts.
Executive Summary
An outbreak of hepatitis A infection has been reported in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden over the last six months with 66 cases as of 11 April 2013. The source of the outbreak has not been identified but epidemiological investigations in the affected countries point towards frozen berries as vehicle of infection.
In relation to measles, large outbreaks are currently on-going in the North-East of England and in Wales. Denmark reported a small outbreak in the Silkesborg area.
Influenza activity across Europe continues to decline or has already returned to baseline levels.
The CDTR also reports about the recent cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in China. During the last week 24 additional cases were confirmed by Chinese authorities, including two deaths, for a total of thirty-eight cases of human infection. At this point, there is no evidence of on-going human-to-human transmission and there has not been further geographical spread.
The ECDC communicable disease threats report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.
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