Communicable disease threats report, 9-15 June 2013, week 24

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 an update on the most recent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) cases and the on-going outbreaks of measles across Europe.

MERS CoV

Between 6 and 13 June 2013, four new cases have been reported in Saudi Arabia, two of these cases were fatal. In total, as of 13 June 2013, 58 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported worldwide. The additional recent cases reported by the Saudi Arabian authorities indicate an on-going source of infection present in the Arabian Peninsula.

Measles

During the past week one new measles outbreak was detected in the Netherlands, mainly affecting unvaccinated children. As of 12 June, 30 cases have been reported to national public health authorities. In Germany, the outbreaks in Munich and Berlin are still on-going, while in Denmark the outbreak in Silkeborg was reported to be over.