Communicable disease threats report, 26 March-1 April 2017, week 13

This issue covers the period of 27 March to 2 April 2016 and includes updates on seasonal influenza in Europe, a fatal case of diphtheria in Belgium, outbreak of yellow fever in Angola and other threats.

Seasonal influenza in Europe

Despite decreasing trends reported by many countries, influenza continued to be reported as widespread in week 12, largely in the south-western part of Europe. Overall in the season, influenza activity, as measured by laboratory-confirmed cases, peaked at weeks 5-7/2016. The number of severe cases, mainly due to A(H1N1)pdm09, has decreased or become stable in all reporting countries.  

ECDC publishes joint weekly updates on seasonal influenza on Flu News Europe.

 

Fatal case of diphtheria in unvaccinated child in Belgium

A case of diphtheria was confirmed on 15 March in Antwerp, Belgium, in a 3-year-old unvaccinated child. The symptoms started on 6 March and she was admitted to an intensive care unit on 11 March. As there is no stockpile of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) in Belgium, ECDC mediated the procurement of DAT when contacted by the Scientific Institute of Public Health on 16 March 2016. Despite administration of DAT, the child died on 17 March.

 

Following this case, ECDC published a rapid risk assessment.

 

Outbreak of yellow fever in Angola

Since the initial cases detected in December 2015 in Luanda, Angola, there has been a rapid increase in the number of suspected cases recorded since mid-January 2016 involving 16 of the 18 provinces in Angola. As of 30 March 2016, the Ministry of Health in Angola has reported 1 794 cases, including 198 deaths.

 

ECDC published a rapid risk assessment on 25 March and an epidemiological update on 1 April.