West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a mosquito-borne zoonosis. The virus is transmitted among birds via the bite of infected mosquitoes and incidentally humans and other mammals may become infected.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a life-threatening respiratory disease caused by a recently identified coronavirus; the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). This is believed to be an animal virus that recently crossed the species barrier to infect humans.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease widely spread in tropical and subtropical regions. It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Most of the clinical cases present a febrile illness, severe forms include hemorrhagic fevers and shock with fatalities.
Poliomyelitis, also known as polio or infantile paralysis, is a vaccine-preventable systemic viral infection affecting the motor neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). Historically, it has been a major cause of mortality, acute paralysis and lifelong disabilities but large scale immunisation programmes have eliminated polio from most areas of the world.
Seasonal influenza is a preventable infectious disease with mostly respiratory symptoms. It is caused by influenza virus and is easily transmitted, predominantly via the droplet and contact routes and by indirect spread from respiratory secretions on hands etc.
Sindbis virus is widely and continuously found in insects, such as Culex mosquitoes, in Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania. However, clinical infection in humans has almost exclusively been reported in northern Europe where it is endemic and where large outbreaks occur intermittently.
This factsheet provides key information on seasonal influenza and is targeting healthcare professionals. The factsheet is a part of the ECDC "Communication guidelines on how to increase influenza vaccination uptake and promote preventive measures to limit its spread".