Prevalence data from sources such as population surveys can be a useful complement to case based surveillance data for hepatitis B. Case-based surveillance has limitations as most diagnosed cases are chronic in nature and detection of cases depends largely on testing practices. Prevalence data can therefore contribute towards a fuller understanding of the epidemiology of hepatitis B.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 19-25 March 2023 and includes updates on Marburg virus disease, iatrogenic botulism, COVID-19, Influenza, Group A streptococcal infection, cholera, poliomyelitis, measles, and extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
For 2020, 28 countries reported 1 647 cases of hantavirus infection (0.4 cases per 100 000 population), mainly caused by Puumala virus (98%). During the period 2016–2020, the overall notification rate fluctuated between 0.4 and 1.0 cases per 100 00 population, with no obvious long-term trend.