ECDC Communicable disease threats report, Week 34, 17-23 August 2014
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
he ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control. This issue covers the period from 17 to 23 August 2014 and includes updates on:
Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa
As of 18 August 2014, the cumulative number of cases in the four countries – Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone – stands at 2 473, including 1 350 deaths. This is the largest EVD outbreak ever reported and the number of cases and deaths surpasses all those put together since 1976. The risk of infection for travellers is considered very low. ECDC published a risk assessment on 4 August,
Salmonella Enteritidis
In June and July 2014, a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis was detected involving Austria and France. The outbreak was associated with eggs from Germany. Potential links with this outbreak are being investigated in Germany, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom where additional cases have been reported with indistinguishable or highly related isolates, identified using molecular typing methods.
West Nile virus, transmission season in Europe
During the past week, three new human cases of West Nile fever were reported in EU Member States. Two new cases were reported from Greece, one confirmed case in East Attica (Attiki) and one probable case in Ileia, a newly affected area for 2014. Austria reported a case of West Nile fever in Vienna. In neighbouring countries, no new cases were reported.
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