Communicable disease threats report 7-13 July 2013, week 28
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
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. This week’s report includes two updates on EU threats concerning outbreaks of Hepatitis A and non EU threats concerning West Nile virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Dengue and new novel cyclovirus.
Hepatitis A – Multistate (Europe) – 2013 outbreak
Between 1 October 2012 and 11 July 2013, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden reported hepatitis A (HAV) cases due to sub-genotype IB with two related sequences, with the suspected vehicle of transmission identified as frozen strawberries. This week Denmark reported one additional case.
Hepatitis A – Multistate (Europe) – ex Italy
An outbreak of hepatitis A (HAV) involving German, Polish and Dutch travellers returning from northern Italy was reported through the Early Warning and Response System. In the past week, no new cases were reported in Italy, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands or Ireland.
MERS-CoV
Between April 2012 and 11 July 2013, 81 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 45 deaths, of an acute respiratory disease have been notified to WHO. Between 5 and 11 July 2013, four new cases of MERS-CoV were reported. Two fatalities in previously notified cases were reported during the same time period.
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