Communicable disease threats report, 27 May - 2 June 2012, week 22
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.
A rabies case in the United Kingdom, a travel-associated cluster of Legionellosis and the European measles outbreaks are in focus this week.
Executive summary
On 23 May 2012, the Health Protection Agency in the United Kingdom reported a confirmed case of rabies in a patient from London who had been bitten by a dog in India. On 28 May, a statement from the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reported the death of this person. ECDC highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical attention should travellers visiting endemic areas for rabies suspect exposure to rabid animals.
Between November 2011 and May 2012, 25 cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including six deaths, have been reported in relation with a hotel in Calpe, Spain. Twenty-two of the cases are travel-associated and three cases are among hotel staff. Control measures have been implemented and tour operators have been informed and asked to inform all tourists that stayed at the hotel from mid April until May about the need to consult a physician should symptoms appear.
So far in 2012, the number of measles outbreaks and reported cases in the Member States are much lower than during 2011 and 2010. In neighbouring Ukraine, an ongoing large outbreak is of concern, with more than 9 800 cases reported in 2012.
In June 2012, Ukraine and Poland are hosting the UEFA European Championship and hundreds of thousands of visitors from several European countries are expected. ECDC has assessed the risk for visitors to the Ukraine of becoming infected and subsequently importing and spreading measles within the EU on their return on a rapid risk assessment.
The weekly Communicable Disease Threats Report provides a bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.
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