| Rapid risk assessments |
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Risk assessment of seasonal influenza, EU/EEA, 2016/2017 Date of publication: 26 December 2016 Since the 2009 influenza pandemic, ECDC has produced early-season risk assessments for EU/EEA countries every season, to inform national public health authorities of the key attributes of the ongoing influenza season. These risk assessments, based on weekly clinical epidemiological and virological data from primary and secondary healthcare settings, provide an early description of the epidemiological pattern of seasonal influenza in the first affected countries and anticipate the progression of influenza activity and the possible impact on susceptible and at-risk populations for the rest of the season.  Available online on the ECDC website |
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Increase of cases of Legionnaires’ disease in EU travellers returning from Dubai Date of publication: 23 December 2016 An increase of cases of Legionnaires’ disease – compared with previous years – is reported in EU travellers returning from Dubai. Twenty-six cases with onset of illness since 1 October 2016 were reported. Further cases with onset in recent weeks are being reported following travel to Dubai, indicating that there is a persistent common source of Legionella exposure. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Type E botulism associated with fish product consumption – Germany and Spain Date of publication: 21 December 2016 This document assesses the risk to human health posed by a multi-country incident of botulism neurotoxin type E, possibly associated with consumption of a commercially-available dried and salted fish product. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Candida auris in healthcare settings Date of publication: 20 December 2016 Due to its propensity to cause outbreaks and its antifungal resistance, C. auris poses a risk for patients in healthcare facilities in Europe. Difficulties with laboratory identification, combined with a lack of awareness of this new Candida species, might result in unnoticed outbreaks. There is a clear need to raise awareness in European healthcare facilities in order adapt laboratory testing strategies and implement enhanced control measures to prevent further hospital outbreaks. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Hepatitis A outbreaks in the EU/EEA mostly affecting men who have sex with men Date of publication: 20 December 2016 This rapid risk assessment looks at the ongoing transmission of hepatitis A virus infection mainly affecting men who have sex with men in EU/EEA countries. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Increase in Salmonella Stourbridge infections in Germany during 2016 Date of publication: 19 December 2016 Germany has reported an increase in the number of Salmonella Stourbridge cases during the second half of 2016, with a high proportion of hospitalised cases and two deaths. Seven other EU Member States have reported additional cases. Whole genome sequencing is being carried out in a number of countries to try and establish the source of the outbreak. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in migrants, multi-country cluster Date of publication: 19 December 2016 An international cluster involving 16 cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in asylum seekers has been detected. Although the limited number of cases detected so far suggests that there is only a limited risk of this outbreak becoming a widespread event, more cases may occur in association with this cluster. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in healthcare settings Date of publication: 9 December 2016 Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii poses a significant threat to patients and healthcare systems. A. baumannii is the cause of serious infections in healthcare settings. The situation is exacerbated by the bacteria’s carbapenem resistance which limits treatment options and increases the risk for adverse outcomes. This risk assessment provides an overview of the epidemiological situation in Europe and describes a number of response options. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis PT8 infection, MLVA type 2-10-8-5-2, associated with handling of feeder mice Date of publication: 5 December 2016 A persistent common-source, multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 8 infection, characterised by MLVA type 2-10-8-5-2, has been ongoing in the United Kingdom and Denmark for several years. Cases are associated with exposure to pet reptiles, in particular corn snakes, and feeder mice. The British outbreak investigation team identified the feeder mice as being imported into the United Kingdom from a rodent farm in Lithuania. Additional EU/EEA countries where the implicated feeder mice were also distributed are likely to be affected by this outbreak. Available online on the ECDC website |
| Technical reports |
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Seventh external quality assessment scheme for typing of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli Date of publication: 8 December 2016 This report presents the results of the seventh round of the external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for typing of verocytotoxin-producing E.coli. The EQA was carried out from January to March 2016 and 27 public health reference laboratories from 30 EU countries participated. Available online on the ECDC website |
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Case studies on preparedness planning for polio in Poland and Cyprus Date of publication: 7 December 2016 The last cases of poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus in Poland and Cyprus were registered in 1984 and 1995, respectively. Current efforts against polio are therefore aimed at maintaining the two countries’ polio-free status. The overall objective of this report is to support these two EU Member States in updating their polio preparedness planning. The specific aims of the case study were to: critically review implemented actions and identify gaps in order to propose approaches for strengthening the national polio plans; identify health system elements that are important in polio preparedness planning; and provide examples of collaborative efforts between these sectors in planning measures for outbreak response to polio as a cross-border health threat. Available online on the ECDC website |
| Surveillance reports |
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The European Union summary report on trends and sources of zoonoses, zoonotic agents and food-borne outbreaks in 2015 Date of publication: 16 December 2016 This report of EFSA and ECDC presents the results of the zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2015 in 32 European countries (28 Member States (MS) and four non-MS: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Available online on the ECDC website |
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ECDC communicable disease threats report Date of publication: every Friday The ECDC communicable disease threats report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control. Summarising information gathered by ECDC through its epidemic intelligence activities regarding communicable disease threats of concern to the European Union, it also provides updates on the global situation and changes in the epidemiology of communicable diseases with potential to affect Europe, including diseases that are the focus of eradication efforts. Available online on the ECDC website |
| Scientific peer-reviewed publications |
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Publications by ECDC staff in scientific journals Updated: September 2016 The full list of all scientific peer-reviewed publications produced by ECDC staff on behalf of the Centre for the period January 2005 – March 2016 is available on the ECDC website. Available online on the ECDC website |
