Germany has reported an outbreak of carbapenemase-producing (NDM-1 and OXA-48) and colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type (ST) 307. As of 21 October 2019, 17 patients in three hospitals and one rehabilitation clinic in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania in north-east Germany have been affected. Six of the 17 cases presented with clinical symptoms of infection, while 11 were identified as be carriers.
This issue covers the period 6-12 October 2019 and includes updates on Ebola virus disease, extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, West Nile virus, mass gathering monitoring (Japan, Rugby World Cup 2019), Poliomyelitis, Measles, Zika virus disease, seasonal influenza, XDR-Typhoid fever.
In 2017, 8.3% (11 787) of the patients who stayed in intensive-care units (ICUs) for more than two days presented with at least one ICU-acquired healthcare-associated infection (HAI) under surveillance (pneumonia, bloodstream infection, or urinary tract infection).
Carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli poses a significant threat to patients and healthcare systems in all European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections are associated with high mortality, primarily due to delays in administration of effective treatment and the limited availability of treatment options.
ECDC is organising a short course on “Control of multidrug-resistant micro-organisms (MDROs) in health care settings”. This training opportunity is addressed at healthcare professionals from European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries with current or future responsibility for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) due to MDROs working at national or local level. The course is offered by invitation only and participants are identified through the ECDC Coordinating Competent Bodies.
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.
In 2017, 82 cases of tetanus, including 46 confirmed cases, were reported in the EU/EEA. Adults aged 65 years and above were the most affected age group, with females accounting for the majority of the cases. Cases tended to occur more frequently in the warmer months, which are associated with higher levels of outdoor activity. The current epidemiology of tetanus in the EU/EEA may be explained by lower vaccination coverage or waning immunity in older populations. Due to the severity of tetanus, there is a need to maintain high vaccination rates in all age groups and continue implementing/developing strategies to protect specific groups, particularly the elderly, in countries with higher rates of disease.