​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.

In the closed cabin environment of modern airplanes, passengers are frequently exposed to various infectious diseases.

​Illnesses caused by infectious diseases are common in children in schools or other childcare settings. Currently there is no common EU approach to the control of communicable diseases in schools or other childcare settings, and existing information is uncertain.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 4-10 February 2018 and includes updates on poliomyelitis, hepatitis A, seasonal influenza, rubella, measles, meningitis, mass gathering monitoring (Olympics) and yellow fever.

In 2019, the hajj will take place between 9 and 14 August. The risk for EU/EEA citizens to become infected with communicable diseases during the 2019 hajj is considered low, thanks to the vaccination requirements for travelling to Makkah (Mecca) and the Saudi Arabian preparedness plans that address the management of health hazards during and after hajj.