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Strategies for the surveillance of COVID-19
This document proposes an updated strategy for COVID-19 surveillance at national and EU/EEA level that specifically aims to reconcile the data needs for effective pandemic response with what is still feasible in countries and within healthcare systems under siege, while taking into account guidance issued by the World Health Organization.
News
COVID-19: ECDC updates case definition for EU surveillance
Following the rapid increase of coronavirus cases in Italy, ECDC continuously assesses the impact that those local clusters have on the overall risk of further spread in the EU/EEA. In addition, the Centre supports the Member States in their COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts.
Publication
Threat assessment brief: Outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Situation in Italy
Outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Situation in Italy
News
ECDC statement on the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in Italy
In the last 24 hours, the Italian Ministry of Health confirmed an increasing number of COVID-19 cases, including two deaths, clustered in two regions in Northern Italy as well as single cases in other regions in Northern Italy.
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Biosecurity threat posed by botulinum toxin
Cenciarelli, O., Riley, P.W., Baka, A.
News
Ebola treatment trial: two drugs identified as more effective
Two out of the four drugs tested in a multi-drug randomised control trial have been found more effective in treating Ebola, the World Health Organization announced on Monday. The Data and Safety Monitoring Board, an independent body that has been reviewing interim safety and efficacy data, has therefore recommended that the study be stopped and that all future patients be randomized to receive either REGN-EB3 or mAb114, in what is being considered an extension phase of the study.
Publication
The use of evidence in decision making during public health emergencies
This report is based upon a workshop (expert consultation) on 5–6 December 2018. The workshop sought to identify and address the links between scientific evidence and decision-making in public health
emergencies, and to address the key challenges faced by public health experts when advising decision makers.
News
Targeted testing for viral hepatitis: Europe’s persistent public health challenge
Targeted testing is an essential element of any strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis across the countries in the European Union and European Economic Area. Some preliminary monitoring results on the response to hepatitis B and C presented around World Hepatitis Day show that diagnosing chronic infections is still a challenge in the EU/EEA.
Publication
Syphilis and congenital syphilis in Europe - A review of epidemiological trends (2007–2018) and options for response
Since 2010, syphilis notification rates in the EU/EAA have been on the increase, but in recent years this trend seems to accelerate, predominantly among men having sex with men. Similar trends have been observed in high-income countries outside the EU/EAA. While the overall trend remained relatively stable, outbreaks or clusters of syphilis cases have also been reported among heterosexual populations in the EU/EEA. In several high-income countries (e.g. USA, Japan), increases in congenital syphilis occurred in connection with increases in syphilis notifications among women.
News
Syphilis notifications in the EU/EEA up by 70% since 2010
The number of syphilis cases has been consistently going up across Europe since 2010, mostly affecting men who have sex with men living in urban areas. In 2017, notification rates reached an all-time high in the EU/EEA countries with more than 33 000 reported cases. An in-depth ECDC study published today describes the factors behind this increase and outlines the evidence-based options for public health control of syphilis, including case finding and management as well as educational activities.