Communicable disease threats report, 19-25 April 2015, week 17

This issue covers the period of 19 to 25 April 2015 and includes updates on seasonal influenza, influenza A(H5N1) and Ebola virus disease.

Seasonal influenza in Europe

Influenza activity continued to decrease in most reporting countries, and the proportion of positive specimens from sentinel sources decreased from 28% for week 15 to 25% for week 16. Low intensity of influenza activity was reported by 31 of 37 reporting countries. The number of hospitalised influenza cases is returning to low levels.

ECDC and WHO jointly produce the Flu News Europe bulletin weekly.

 

Avian influenza

As of 18 April 2015, Egypt has reported 140 human cases of influenza A(H5N1), including 39 deaths in 2015.

Since December 2014, Canada and the United States of America have detected several outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild and domestic birds due to new reassortants of H5 influenza viruses. These viruses are genetically different from the avian influenza A(H5N1) that has caused human infections with high mortality in many countries. To date, there have been no reported human infections with this new reassortant virus. The risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry is considered to be low.

ECDC published a Rapid Risk Assessment on Influenza A(H5N1) in Egypt on 13 March 2015 and an epidemiological update about Influenza A(H5N1) in Egypt on 10 April 2015.

 

Ebola virus disease in West Africa

As of 21 April 2015, WHO reported 26 074 cases of Ebola virus disease related to the outbreak in West Africa, including 10 820 deaths. Thirty-three new confirmed cases of EVD were reported in the week from 13 to 19 April from Guinea (21 cases) and Sierra Leone (12 cases). Liberia reported no new confirmed cases. If no new cases occur Liberia will be declared Ebola free on 9 May.

ECDC published an updated Rapid Risk Assessment on 15 April 2015.