Communicable disease threats report, 23-29 August 2015, week 35
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
This issue covers the period 23 to 29 August 2015 and includes updates on MERS-CoV, measles and chikungunya.
MERS-CoV
Since 20 August, Saudi Arabia has reported 43 additional MERS cases and 21 deaths in previously reported cases. Jordan has reported two cases with recent travel history to Saudi Arabia.
The source of the virus remains unknown but dromedary camels in the Middle East are the likely reservoir for the virus. Human-to-human transmission is amplified among household contacts and in healthcare settings.
On 28 August, ECDC published an updated rapid risk assessment in light of the Riyadh hospital outbreak.
Measles
The CDTR has the monthly update of measles. The outbreak in Berlin, Germany continues and has reached 1 357 cases. France reported 365 measles cases between 1 January and 31 July 2015.
On 24 August, ECDC published its Quarterly measles and rubella monitoring report.
Chikungunya
No new autochthonous cases of chikungunya were detected in EU Member States.
According to the latest update from the WHO Pan American Health Organization (WHO PAHO) on 21 August, 40 535 new chikungunya cases (suspected and confirmed) have been reported in the Americas during the past two weeks.
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