Aktuelle smitsomme sygdomme

I forbindelse med invitation til børneinfluenzavaccination og børnevaccinationsprogrammet er der i perioden fra 7. juli 2023 til 21. september 2023 beklageligvis sendt invitationer til forældre uden forældremyndighed.

Statement from ECDC Director Andrea Ammon on the current state of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 with the arrival of autumn and winter.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 10-16 September 2023 and includes updates on COVID-19, diphtheria, West Nile virus, avian influenza, dengue, legionnaires\' disease, the Rugby World Cup 2023, cutaneous Anthrax, pertussis, botulism and severe floods.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 10-16 September 2023 and includes updates on COVID-19, diphtheria, West Nile virus, avian influenza, dengue, legionnaires\' disease, the Rugby World Cup 2023, cutaneous Anthrax, pertussis, botulism and severe floods.

On the cusp of respiratory virus season, experts offer their guidance to primary care physicians about how to advise patients about vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Medscape Medical News…

BackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures, including travel restrictions, limited global circulation of influenza viruses. In Australia, travel bans for non-residents and quarantine requirements for returned travellers were eased in November 2021, providing pathways for influenza viruses to be re-introduced. AimWe aimed to describe the epidemiological and virological characteristics of the re-emergence of influenza in Victoria, Australia to inform public health interventions. MethodsFrom 1 November 2021 to 30 April 2022, we conducted an epidemiological study analysing case notification data from the Victorian Department of Health to describe case demographics, interviewed the first 200 cases to establish probable routes of virus reintroduction and examined phylogenetic and antigenic data to understand virus diversity and susceptibility to current vaccines. ResultsOverall, 1,598 notifications and 1,064 positive specimens were analysed. The majority of cases (61.4%) occurred in the 15–34 years age group. Interviews revealed a higher incidence of international travel exposure during the first month of case detections, and high levels of transmission in university residential colleges were associated with return to campus. Influenza A(H3N2) was the predominant subtype, with a single lineage predominating despite multiple importations. ConclusionEnhanced testing for respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic provided a more complete picture of influenza virus transmission compared with previous seasons. Returned international travellers were important drivers of influenza reemergence, as were young adults, a group whose role has previously been under-recognised in the establishment of seasonal influenza epidemics. Targeting interventions, including vaccination, to these groups could reduce future influenza transmission. …

This report describes how emergency department visits and wastewater surveillance data were used to track influenza and respiratory syncytial virus activity in Wisconsin.

Højpatogen fugleinfluenzavirus H5N1 påvist i flere sæler, som for nyligt blev fundet døde ved Avnø.

This report describes flu vaccine effectiveness data from five South American countries during the 2023 Southern Hemisphere flu season.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 27 August - 2 September and includes updates on Legionnaires’ disease, dengue cases, avian influenza, West Nile virus, COVID-19 and cholera.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 27 August - 2 September and includes updates on Legionnaires’ disease, dengue cases, avian influenza, West Nile virus, COVID-19 and cholera.

In April 2023, an outbreak of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses carrying the T271A mammalian adaptive mutation in the PB2 protein was detected in a backyard poultry farm in Italy. Five domestic dogs and one cat living on the premises had seroconverted in the absence of clinical signs. Virological and serological monitoring of individuals exposed to the virus proved the absence of human transmission, however, asymptomatic influenza A(H5N1) infections in mammalian pets may have important public health implications. …

The CDC\'s Tim Uyeki, MD, discusses trends in avian influenza A and variant influenza A viruses, as well as guidance on prevention and treatment. CDC Expert Commentary…

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 20-26 August and includes updates on avian influenza, botulism, autochthonous dengue, Legionnaires\' disease, COVID-19, West Nile virus, Chikungunya and dengue.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 20-26 August and includes updates on avian influenza, botulism, autochthonous dengue, Legionnaires\' disease, COVID-19, West Nile virus, Chikungunya and dengue.

This report describes prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines for the 2023-24 season.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 13-19 August and includes updates on avian influenza A(H5N6), avian influenza A(H9N2), West Nile virus, COVID-19, poliomyelitis, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 13-19 August and includes updates on avian influenza A(H5N6), avian influenza A(H9N2), West Nile virus, COVID-19, poliomyelitis, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 6 - 12 August 2023 and includes updates on measles, COVID-19, swine flu, mpox, diphtheria, West Nile virus, avian influenza, dengue, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, and invasive meningococcal disease.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 6 - 12 August 2023 and includes updates on measles, COVID-19, swine flu, mpox, diphtheria, West Nile virus, avian influenza, dengue, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, and invasive meningococcal disease.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 30 July - 5 August 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, botulism, echovirus, West Nile virus, COVID-19, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 30 July - 5 August 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, botulism, echovirus, West Nile virus, COVID-19, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

BackgroundOver a 3-week period in late June/early July 2023, Poland experienced an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in cats. AimThis study aimed to characterise the identified virus and investigate possible sources of infection. MethodsWe performed next generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of detected viruses in cats. ResultsWe sampled 46 cats, and 25 tested positive for avian influenza virus. The identified viruses belong to clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype CH (H5N1 A/Eurasian wigeon/Netherlands/3/2022-like). In Poland, this genotype was responsible for several poultry outbreaks between December 2022 and January 2023 and has been identified only sporadically since February 2023. Viruses from cats were very similar to each other, indicating one common source of infection. In addition, the most closely related virus was detected in a dead white stork in early June. Influenza A(H5N1) viruses from cats possessed two amino acid substitutions in the PB2 protein (526R and 627K) which are two molecular markers of virus adaptation in mammals. The virus detected in the white stork presented one of those mutations (627K), which suggests that the virus that had spilled over to cats was already partially adapted to mammalian species. ConclusionThe scale of HPAI H5N1 virus infection in cats in Poland is worrying. One of the possible sources seems to be poultry meat, but to date no such meat has been identified with certainty. Surveillance should be stepped up on poultry, but also on certain species of farmed mammals kept close to infected poultry farms. …

In June 2023, a fatal disease outbreak in cats occurred in Poland. Most cases tested in Poland (29 of 47) were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1) virus. Genetic analyses revealed clade 2.3.4.4b with point mutations indicative of initial mammalian hosts adaptations. Cat viral sequences were highly similar (n = 21), suggesting a potential common infection source. To investigate possible infection routes, our group tested food samples from affected households. HPAI H5N1 virus was detected in one poultry meat sample. …

Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections in foxes, American minks and raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food in farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections have been detected, control measures are being implemented to limit spread and human exposure. …

This report describes the percentage of adults who received an influenza vaccine in the past 12 months.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 23-29 July 2023 and includes updates on cholera, MERS-CoV, Chikungunya, dengue, COVID-19, West Nile virus, avian influenza, echovirus, botulism, and bacterial meningitis.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 23-29 July 2023 and includes updates on cholera, MERS-CoV, Chikungunya, dengue, COVID-19, West Nile virus, avian influenza, echovirus, botulism, and bacterial meningitis.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 16-22 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, Echovirus 11, COVID-19, West Nile virus, poliomyelitis, and botulism.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 16-22 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, Echovirus 11, COVID-19, West Nile virus, poliomyelitis, and botulism.

BackgroundKnowledge on the burden attributed to influenza viruses vs other respiratory viruses in children hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) in Belgium is limited. AimThis observational study aimed at describing the epidemiology and assessing risk factors for severe disease. MethodsWe retrospectively analysed data from routine national sentinel SARI surveillance in Belgium. Respiratory specimens collected during winter seasons 2011 to 2020 were tested by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Demographic data and risk factors were collected through questionnaires. Patients were followed-up for complications or death during hospital stay. Analysis focused on children younger than 15 years. Binomial logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for severe disease in relation to infection status. ResultsDuring the winter seasons 2011 to 2020, 2,944 specimens met the study case definition. Complications were more common in children with underlying risk factors, especially asthma (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46–2.30) and chronic respiratory disease (aRR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.44–2.32), regardless of infection status and age. Children infected with non-influenza respiratory viruses had a 32% higher risk of complications (aRR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.06–1.66) compared with children with influenza only. ConclusionMulti-virus testing in children with SARI allows a more accurate assessment of the risk of complications and attribution of burden to respiratory viruses beyond influenza. Children with asthma and respiratory disease should be prioritised for clinical care, regardless of their virological test result and age, and targeted for prevention campaigns. …

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 9-15 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, West Nile virus, COVID-19, diphtheria, and vibrio.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 9-15 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza, West Nile virus, COVID-19, diphtheria, and vibrio.

After the near absence of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased activity of mainly influenza A(H3N2) was detected at the beginning of August 2022 in Greece on three islands. Of 33 cases with respiratory symptoms testing negative for SARS-CoV-2 with rapid antigen tests, 24 were positive for influenza: 20 as A(H3N2) subtype and four as A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. Phylogenetic analysis of selected samples from both subtypes was performed and they fell into clusters within subclades that included the 2022/23 vaccine strains. Our data suggest that influenza can be transmitted even in the presence of another highly infectious pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, with a similar transmission mode. We highlight the need for implementing changes in the current influenza surveillance and suggest a move from seasonal to continuous surveillance, especially in areas with a high number of tourists. Year-round surveillance would allow for a timelier start of vaccination campaigns and antiviral drugs procurement processes. …

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 2-8 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza in domestic cats, pride celebrations, diphtheria, COVID-19, West Nile virus, mass gatherings, measles, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Mpox, and Ralstonia mannitolilytica in dialysis patients. …

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 2-8 July 2023 and includes updates on avian influenza in domestic cats, pride celebrations, diphtheria, COVID-19, West Nile virus, mass gatherings, measles, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), Mpox, and Ralstonia mannitolilytica in dialysis patients. …

Højpatogen fugleinfluenza har ramt hættemågekolonier landet over. Få gode råd her.

Compared with influenza and sepsis, severe COVID-19 infections resulted in similar risk for neurological and cardiovascular conditions, suggesting a common need for long-term support. Medscape Medical News…

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 25 June - 1 July 2023. It includes updates on avian influenza, COVID-19, West Nile virus, poliomyelitis, cholera, fungal meningitis, Oz virus, and information on mass gatherings (the Hajj).

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 25 June - 1 July 2023. It includes updates on avian influenza, COVID-19, West Nile virus, poliomyelitis, cholera, fungal meningitis, Oz virus, and information on mass gatherings (the Hajj).

BackgroundIn early 2020, the I-MOVE-COVID-19 hospital surveillance system was adapted from an existing influenza surveillance system to include hospitalised COVID-19 cases. AimTo describe trends in the demographic and clinical characteristics of hospitalised COVID-19 cases across Europe during the first 2 years of the pandemic, and to identify associations between sex, age and chronic conditions with admission to intensive care or high dependency units (ICU/HDU) and in-hospital mortality. MethodsWe pooled pseudonymised data from all hospitalised COVID-19 cases in 11 surveillance sites in nine European countries, collected between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2021. Associations between sex, age and chronic conditions, with ICU/HDU admission and in-hospital mortality were examined using Pearson’s chi-squared test, and crude odds ratio (OR) estimates with respective 95% confidence intervals (CI). ResultsOf 25,971 hospitalised COVID-19 cases, 55% were male, 35% were 75 years or older and 90% had a chronic underlying condition. Patients with two or more chronic underlying conditions were significantly more likely to die in-hospital from COVID-19 (OR: 10.84; 95% CI: 8.30–14.16) than those without a chronic condition. ConclusionThe surveillance demonstrated that males, those 75 years or older and those with chronic conditions were at greater risk of in-hospital death. Over the surveillance period, outcomes tended to improve, likely because of vaccinations. This surveillance has laid the groundwork for further research studies investigating the risk factors of hospitalised COVID-19 cases and vaccine effectiveness. …

Højpatogen fugleinfluenza har ramt flere danske hættemågekolonier landet over. Det skønnes, at mindst 3.000 voksne hættemåger indtil videre er døde af sygdommen.

Højpatogen fugleinfluenza har ramt flere danske hættemågekolonier landet over. Det skønnes, at mindst 3.000 voksne hættemåger indtil videre er døde af sygdommen.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 18-24 June 2023 and includes updates on swine influenza, COVID-19, West Nile virus, mass gatherings and gonorrhoea.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 18-24 June 2023 and includes updates on swine influenza, COVID-19, West Nile virus, mass gatherings and gonorrhoea.

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 11-17 June 2023 and includes updates on COVID-19, West Nile virus, chikungunya and dengue, avian influenza, measles, diphtheria, cholera, echovirus, and information on the Hajj .

This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 11-17 June 2023 and includes updates on COVID-19, West Nile virus, chikungunya and dengue, avian influenza, measles, diphtheria, cholera, echovirus, and information on the Hajj .

BackgroundGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been associated with vaccination against COVID-19. AimWe aimed to compare clinical characteristics and analyse excess GBS cases following administration of different COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in Germany versus the expected numbers estimated from pre-pandemic background incidence rates. MethodsWe analysed safety surveillance data reported to the German national competent authority between 27 December 2020 and 31 August 2021. GBS cases were validated according to Brighton Collaboration (BC) criteria. We conducted observed vs expected (OvE) analyses on cases fulfilling BC criteria levels 1 to 4 for all four European Medicines Agency-approved COVID-19 vaccines and for influenza vaccines. ResultsA total of 214 GBS cases after COVID-19 vaccination had been reported, of whom 156 were eligible for further analysis. Standardised morbidity ratio estimates 3–42 days after vaccination were 0.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25–0.44) for Comirnaty, 0.38 (95% CI: 0.15–0.79) for Spikevax, 3.10 (95% CI: 2.44–3.88) for Vaxzevria, 4.16 (95% CI: 2.64–6.24) for COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.35–0.94) for influenza vaccines. Bilateral facial paresis was reported in 19.7% and 26.1% of the 156 GBS cases following vaccination with Vaxzevria and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, respectively, and only in 6% of cases exposed to Comirnaty. ConclusionThree and four times more GBS cases than expected were reported after vaccination with Vaxzevria and COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, respectively, therefore GBS might be an adverse event of vector-based vaccines. Bifacial paresis was more common in cases with GBS following vaccination with vector-based than mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. …

Individuals with insomnia had more and longer episodes of influenza-like illness relative to peers without insomnia, a novel finding that was revealed by using smart-bed technology. Medscape Medical News…

BackgroundIn 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) accelerated development of European-level severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance. AimWe aimed to establish SARI surveillance in one Irish hospital as part of a European network E-SARI-NET. MethodsWe used routine emergency department records to identify cases in one adult acute hospital. The SARI case definition was adapted from the ECDC clinical criteria for a possible COVID-19 case. Clinical data were collected using an online questionnaire. Cases were tested for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), including whole genome sequencing (WGS) on SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive samples and viral characterisation/sequencing on influenza RNA-positive samples. Descriptive analysis was conducted for SARI cases hospitalised between July 2021 and April 2022. ResultsOverall, we identified 437 SARI cases, the incidence ranged from two to 28 cases per week (0.7–9.2/100,000 hospital catchment population). Of 431 cases tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, 226 (52%) were positive. Of 349 (80%) cases tested for influenza and RSV RNA, 15 (4.3%) were positive for influenza and eight (2.3%) for RSV. Using WGS, we identified Delta- and Omicron-dominant periods. The resource-intensive nature of manual clinical data collection, specimen management and laboratory supply shortages for influenza and RSV testing were challenging. ConclusionWe successfully established SARI surveillance as part of E-SARI-NET. Expansion to additional sentinel sites is planned following formal evaluation of the existing system. SARI surveillance requires multidisciplinary collaboration, automated data collection where possible, and dedicated personnel resources, including for specimen management. …