Communicable Disease Threats Report week 36

​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: 

West Nile fever

West Nile fever is entering its peak phase, as had been expected. 28 new neuro-invasive cases were reported in the EU during the week, with newly affected areas in Italy and Romania being confirmed. A previous case reported in Austria was withdrawn.

A total of 11 non-neuroinvasive cases were reported for the first time by Italy. These cases have been detected since the beginning of the transmission season.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

 

Five new cases of MERS-CoV were reported by national health authorities between 29 August and 5 September. Four of the cases were reported by Saudi Arabia and one fatal case was reported by the health authorities in Qatar.

Paratyphoid A fever

 

An unusual increase in the number of cases of Paratyphoid A fever in individuals returning from Cambodia has been reported. A total of 34 cases were reported between March 2013 and 5 September 2013, with 30 being recorded in travellers from five EU/EEA countries. ECDC has published a Rapid Risk Assessment detailing the increase in the number of cases. Main conclusions of the report include the recommendation for travellers returning from a tropical country with a fever to seek medical attention as soon as possible.