Following a request from the European Commission in August 2010, ECDC assessed the epidemiological history of Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) across the world, possible risks of HTLV transmission through transplantation of human tissues and cells, and possible measures to prevent such transmission.
In May 2011, the European Commission asked ECDC to estimate the change in total exposure risk to hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during reproductive cell handling and storage for secondary parties, if the current scheme of testing at each cell donation would change to testing partner donors of reproductive cells once or twice a year.
An organ perfusion solution known as Viaspan® has been identified as being potentially contaminated with Bacillus cereus. Viaspan®, which is used to preserve organs prior to transplantation, is distributed to a number of countries around the world.According to ECDC's risk assessment, the likelihood of contamination and risk of infection in recipients or potential recipients of organ transplants preserved in Viaspan® solution produced after July 2011 appears to be low, based on the negative results of microbiological cultures in solution samples and the absence of reported patient cases to date. Nevertheless, vigilance is recommended to mitigate the risk.
Following a request from the European Commission in August 2010, ECDC assessed the epidemiological history of Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) across the world, possible risks of HTLV transmission through transplantation of human tissues and cells, and possible measures to prevent such transmission.
Published by the European Food Safety Authority, this joint scientific report brings together data on the occurrence of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks and zoonoses cases reported in humans.
ECDC plays an important role in providing its stakeholders with scientific advice when requested. On 23 September 2010 ECDC received such a request from the European Commission’s DG SANCO (Directorate C – Public Health and Risk Assessment).
Two developments in the field of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) occurred in 2009. In order to address a number of questions that were raised, ECDC internal and external experts prepared this risk assessment. The document focuses on how these new facts affect the current assumptions regarding transmissibility of the disease through blood transfusion and tissue/cells transplantation.
Published by the European Food Safety Authority, this joint scientific report brings together data on the occurrence of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks and zoonoses cases reported in humans.