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.
For 2016, EU/EEA countries reported three cases of Lassa fever. Germany reported two cases, and Sweden reported one case. These were the first Lassa fever cases reported by EU/EEA countries since 2009 when two cases were reported by the United Kingdom.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 16-22 September 2018 and includes updates on leptospirosis, West Nile virus, Ebola virus disease, cholera, monkeypox and Legionnaires' disease.