In recent weeks, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) circulation in the EU/EEA has intensified, with increasing transmission rates in all population groups and an earlier-than-usual start of the season. Several EU/EEA countries are experiencing high RSV circulation and the number of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) due to RSV is increasing. At this time of the year RSV infections are not unusual, however this year there is more RSV activity and it began earlier than in pre-COVID-19 seasons.
Rapid risk/outbreaks assessment aim at supporting the countries and the European Commission in their preparedness and response to a public health threat. They provide a timely summary and risk assessment of a public health threat for EU/EEA countries related to a specific event. They also include potential options for response. As outbreaks or public health events develop, ECDC may issue updated risk assessments.
This situation update for seasonal influenza uses epidemiological and virological data to assess the seasonal increase of influenza cases in relation to disease severity and impact on healthcare systems. It is designed to assist forward planning in Member States.
First detections indicated circulation of A(H3N2) and B/Yamagata viruses. As the former subtype dominated last season, a high proportion of the population should be protected.
On 24 March 2017, the German authorities reported the contamination of a ‘do-it-yourself’ bacterial gene engineering CRISPR kit produced in the US. This publication assesses the risk related to the use of ‘do-it-yourself’ CRISPR-associated gene engineering kit contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
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 document assesses the risk to human health posed by a multi-country foodborne outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome taking place in the European Union (EU).