This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 17-23 December 2023 and includes updates on cholera, SARS-CoV-2 variant classification, avian influenza in fur farms, hepatitis A, pertussis, a cluster of extensively drug-resistant Shigella Sonnei among men who have sex with men, and an overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EE.
Several viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens are expected to continue co-circulating at variable levels during the coming months, and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality during this period. This is typical of every winter season.
This report provides updated baseline data for monitoring future changes in the distribution of autochthonous Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and its associated vectors for Europe and its neighbouring areas.
Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium with human carriers as the only reservoir. It is carried in the nose, where it can remain for long periods without producing symptoms.
Despite good access to effective antibiotics, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) is still a major cause of disease and death in both developing and developed countries. Pneumococci are the main cause of bacterial respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, middle ear infection, and sinusitis, in all age groups.
This Reporting Protocol describes data collection for influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses (such as RSV or new viruses of public health concern) in the EU/EEA and wider WHO European Region. Data collection is integrated for most datasets in line with the operational considerations for respiratory virus surveillance in Europe.
Genetic and antigenic characterization data generated at the Worldwide Influenza Centre for viruses with collection dates after 31 January 2023 until 31 August 2023 informed the WHO influenza vaccine composition meeting (VCM) in September 2023 when recommendations were made for the southern hemisphere (SH) 2024 influenza season.