This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) the period 11-17 February 2024, and includes updates on SARS-CoV-2 variant classification, diphtheria, chikungunya, dengue, influenza A(H5N1), a human case of co-infection with seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and avian influenza A(H10N5), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and an overview of respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA.
In 2024, and as of 31 of January, approximately 10 000 CHIKVD cases and no deaths have been reported worldwide. A total of eight countries reported CHIKVD cases from the America (6) and Asia (2).
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 16 February 2024, six MERS-CoV cases, including two fatalities, have been reported with the date of onset in 2023 by Saudi Arabia (5) and the United Arab Emirates (1).
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 16 February 2024, six MERS-CoV cases, including two fatalities, have been reported with the date of onset in 2023 by Saudi Arabia (5) and the United Arab Emirates (1).
Measles cases are expected to continue increasing in the EU/EEA in the coming months due to sub-optimal vaccination coverage for measles-containing vaccines (MCV) in a number of EU/EEA countries.
Since the beginning of 2023, and as of 16 February 2024, six MERS-CoV cases, including two fatalities, have been reported with the date of onset in 2023 by Saudi Arabia (5) and the United Arab Emirates (1).
In 2023, significant increases in the number of measles cases and outbreaks were observed globally, including in 40 of the 53 countries of the European region, and in at least ten EU/EEA countries.
The increase in cases of measles, a highly contagious, but vaccine-preventable disease, is a stark reminder that all Member States should maximise efforts to achieve and maintain high vaccination coverage for all vaccine-preventable diseases.
This protocol presents a common updated methodology to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) for COVID-19, using established health data registries in participating European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries.
This joint guidance by the ECDC and EMCDDA aims to strengthen the evidence base for developing national strategies for preventing and controlling infections and infectious diseases among people who inject drugs.