Shiga toxin/verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC/VTEC) infection - Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018

Surveillance report
Publication series: Annual Epidemiological Report
Time period covered: This report is based on data for 2018 retrieved from The European Surveillance System (TESSy) on 17 September 2019.
Cite:

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Shiga-toxin/verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC/VTEC) infection. In: ECDC. Annual epidemiological report for 2018. Stockholm: ECDC; 2020.

ECDC’s annual surveillance reports provide a wealth of epidemiological data to support decision-making at the national level. They are mainly intended for public health professionals and policymakers involved in disease prevention and control programmes.

Executive Summary

  • For 2018, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 8 658 confirmed cases of infection with Shigatoxin/verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC/VTEC).
  • The overall notification rate was 2.4 cases per 100 000 population.
  • After a stable period from 2014 to 2017, the notification rate increased by 41% in 2018.
  • The highest notification rates were reported in Denmark, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Sweden.
  • The highest rate of confirmed cases was observed in 0–4-year-old children (11.5 cases per 100 000 population).