Meningococcal disease is caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium with human carriers as the only reservoir. It is carried in the nose, where it can remain for long periods without producing symptoms.
Despite good access to effective antibiotics, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci) is still a major cause of disease and death in both developing and developed countries. Pneumococci are the main cause of bacterial respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, middle ear infection, and sinusitis, in all age groups.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is an obligate human pathogen and an important cause of invasive bacterial infections in both children and adults, with the highest incidence among young children.
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 19 - 25 November 2023 and includes updates on updates SARS-CoV-2 variant classifications, the increase of pediatric respiratory infections in China, Avian influenza in fur farms, West Nile virus, cholera, and an overview of respiratory virus epidemiology.
Since the beginning of the 2023 transmission season and as of 22 November 2023, EU/EEA countries have reported 698 human cases of WNV infection. In the same period, 146 outbreaks among equids and 246 outbreaks among birds have been reported by EU/EEA countries.