Communicable disease threats report, 6-12 May 2012, week 19

Measles is still endemic in many countries of Europe due to a low uptake of immunisation. In neighbouring Ukraine, an ongoing major outbreak is of concern, with more than 9 100 cases reported in 2012.  From 5 to 11 May there was a cluster of two cases reported in Lithuania imported from the Russian Federation. The outbreaks in the UK are still ongoing.

In relation to influenza, during week 18 all reporting countries experienced low-intensity influenza activity, except Slovakia which reported medium activity.

Among non-EU threats, the CDTR reports in particular about dengue among other communicable diseases circulating outside the EU. There have been no reports of autochthonous dengue infections in Europe so far in 2012. On 1 May the French health authorities started the seasonal surveillance for dengue and chikungunya in areas of the country where the vector is present.

The weekly Communicable Disease Threats Report provides a bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.