The fifth meeting of the Hepatitis B and C Network aims to bring together experts from across the EU to discuss how Europe can improve its response to the epidemics of hepatitis B and C with a focus on surveillance, estimating prevalence, and the monitoring of response.
In a two-day meeting organised by ECDC and UNAIDS, representatives of 22 European countries discussed how to improve the delivery of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) across Europe. The meeting brought together country delegates, PrEP users and community HIV advocates to seek ways to strengthen the provision and monitoring of PrEP.
An outbreak of Zika virus infections affected the Americas and the Pacific region. On 1 February 2016 WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) regarding clusters of microcephaly cases and neurological disorders in some areas affected by Zika virus.
The European public health and blood authorities responded to the threat posed by West Nile virus to blood safety of blood and blood components by adopting preventive measures which are defined in the EU blood legislation, professional guides of the Council of Europe and the EU WNV blood transfusion preparedness plan. The measures include the deferral of blood donors that have visited or residing in a NUTS 3 area considered to be affected (i.e. with at least one confirmed case).
The conference addressed long-term effectiveness HIV of drugs, co-infections with tuberculosis or viral hepatitis and other co-morbidities, and most inequitable access to care across Europe
The 31st IUSTI (International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections) Europe Congress addressed the broad range of science and clinical practice in the field of sexually transmitted infections.
Treatment enables people with HIV infection to live a long, healthy and productive life. It also reduces their viral load significantly and this has been shown to be important in preventing onward transmission of HIV.