Genetic and antigenic characterization data generated at the Worldwide Influenza Centre for viruses with collection dates after 31 January 2023 until 31 August 2023 informed the WHO influenza vaccine composition meeting (VCM) in September 2023 when recommendations were made for the southern hemisphere (SH) 2024 influenza season.
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.
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.
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.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) the period 4-10 February 2024 and includes updates on avian influenza, measles, MERS-CoV, COVID-19, swine influenza, respiratory virus epidemiology, Western equine encephalitis, Hepatitis E, and the Chinese New Year.