bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nasopharyngeal Corynebacterium ulcerans diphtheria in the Netherlands
Authors: Visser L. E. , Peek N , Schippers Emile  F. , van Dam A , Kuijper E  J , Swaan C , Reubsaet Frans
Published: October 2017

A 59 year old woman was admitted to hospital with a three day history of a sore throat and increasing dysphagia. During treatment with oral penicillin for one day, pain and dysphagia progressed and the patient was admitted. On examination, she was afebrile, her soft palate and uvula were swollen, and a membraneous exudate was seen on the soft palate and nasopharynx.
Improving the effectiveness of the measles vaccination programme in a population where many refuse vaccination
Authors: van den Hof S
Published: October 2017

The purpose of measles vaccination is to protect from clinical measles infection and its complications. In the Netherlands, groups of people who decline vaccination (vaccine decliners) are an important factor in the occurrence of regular measles epidemics. In the most recent epidemic in 1999-2000, 3292 cases were reported, most of whom were unvaccinated for religious reasons.
United States recommends annual HIV testing for gay men
Authors: McGarrigle C
Published: October 2017

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published new guidelines for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (1). The guidelines are for physicians and other healthcare providers who prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Glycopeptide intermediate resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Cookson B
Published: October 2017

Last week, the Public Health Laboratory Service in England reported an isolation of a glycopeptide resistant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (1). The organism was isolated from a patient with endocarditis who had failed to respond to treatment with this antibiotic used in combination with gentamicin and rifampicin.
HIV figures from the Republic of Ireland for 2001
Authors: Cronin M , O’Donnell Kate
Published: October 2017

The number of newly diagnosed HIV infections reported for the heterosexual category in the Republic of Ireland has increased each year since 1994 according to figures released last week by the National Disease Surveillance Centre, Dublin (1). Between 1999 and 2000, the number of HIV infections in this category more than doubled, from 59 in 1999 to 127 in 2000. Between 2000 and 2001, there was a 36% increase in reported infections in this category, from 127 to 173. Worryingly, over the same period, the numbers of reports of other sexually transmitted infections also increased, although the increases seen between 1999 and 2000 were not as dramatic as those for HIV infections reported for the same period (2). During 2000, 8869 cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were notified, compared with 6993 in 1999, a 26.8% increase. The total number of newly diagnosed HIV infections for 2001 was 299 compared with 290 for 2000, a rate of 82.5 per million for 2001 and 80.0 per million for 2000. This brings the total number of HIV cases newly and previously diagnosed reported in Ireland to December 2001 to 2645.
HIV infected women: does use of antenatal antiretroviral therapy increase risk of premature delivery?
Authors: Thorne C , Fiore S , Newell M  L
Published: October 2017

Data from the United States (US) were presented recently suggesting antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy in HIV women was not associated with an increased risk of prematurity (1). These findings contradict earlier findings from Europe which demonstrated a small but significant increased risk of premature delivery with use of combination therapy, especially when including a protease inhibitor (PI), and in particular when started before or in early pregnancy (2). But differences in populations and methodology applied could explain much of this apparent contradiction. Clinicians caring for HIV infected women should be aware of these findings.
Cluster of listeriosis cases in France
Authors: Goulet V , Martin P , Jacquet C
Published: October 2017

A cluster of eight cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection with the same serotype and pulsed field gel; electrophoresis (PFGE) profile has been identified by the surveillance scheme operated by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (national institute for health surveillance) and the national Listeria reference centre at the Institut Pasteur, Paris, since 29 May 2002 (1). The first two strains were isolated in week 22 (27 May-2 June), two more were isolated in week 23 (3-9 June), and four were isolated in week 24 (10-16 June).
Salmonella outbreak in Girona, Spain
Authors: Camps N , Company M , Sala R , Domínguez A , Llovet T
Published: October 2017

On 24 June 2002 the Departament de Sanitat i Seguretat Social de Generalitat de Catalunya (department of health and social security of the regional government of Catalonia) was notified of several cases of gastroenteritis with fever in people who had all eaten pastries known as ‘cocas.’ These pastries, which are made with eggs and have a custard filling, are produced for the festival of San Juan, which takes place annually in Catalonia on the evening of 23 June. The ‘cocas’ were all made and purchased at the same bakery in a tourist town in the province of Girona. The eggs used to make the custard in this bakery were pasteurised and cooked. The bakery is now under investigation. Three other bakeries also made and sold ‘cocas’ on 23 June, but none of the cases have been linked to these establishments.
Reported synthesis of poliovirus and implications for polio eradication and bioterrorism
Authors: Hoile E
Published: October 2017

It was announced on 11 July that infectious poliovirus cDNA had been synthesised de novo in a laboratory for the first time (1). Scientists synthesised full length poliovirus cDNA by assembling oligonucleotides of plus and minus strand polarity, and then transcribed them into viral RNA with RNA polymerase. The viral RNA was translated and the synthesis of infectious poliovirus replicated. Transgenic mice injected intracerebrally with this virus developed flaccid paralysis or death, resembling the disease caused by wild poliovirus. The results confirm that the paralysis was caused by the synthetic virus, although a larger inoculum of the synthetic virus was needed to cause paralysis than was the case for wild virus.
Preliminary conclusions of the meeting of the working group of the Network Committee on invasive meningococcal disease due to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C
Authors: van Loock F , Karcher F
Published: October 2017

A meeting was held with national experts in Luxembourg on 22 May 2002, with the objectives of exchanging information (a) on epidemiological trends in serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease (SCIMD), (b) on vaccination policies for SCIMD in individual countries and (c) on decision criteria used to choose particular vaccination policies.
New issue of EpiNorth online
Authors:   V R Gundersen
Published: October 2017

The latest issue of EpiNorth (bulletin of the network for infectious disease control in the Barents and Baltic Sea Region) is now available online at www.epinorth.org
UK further restricts the practice of selected hepatitis C infected healthcare workers
Authors:   P Horby
Published: October 2017

The Department of Health in England has issued new guidance on the management of hepatitis C infected healthcare workers (1,2). Previous guidance in the United Kingdom (UK) recommended that healthcare workers infected with hepatitis C should be restricted from undertaking exposure prone procedures (EPPs) only if they had been associated with transmission of infection to a patient (3). Since these recommendations were made, however, there have been five documented incidents in England and Wales (4-8), one in Spain (9), and two in Germany (10,11) in which infected healthcare workers have transmitted hepatitis C infection to patients during EPPs.
Alcohol for hand hygiene: new comparative studies add to the evidence base
Authors:   P Hoffman
Published: October 2017

Two recent studies from France have added to the evidence that hand disinfection with alcohol- or alcohol based solutions is an essential component of infection control. The first addresses hand hygiene on the wards and the second in the operating theatre. These are quite different scenarios.
DengueNet – WHO’s internet based system for the global surveillance of dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever
Authors: Lawrence J
Published: October 2017

Globally, 2.5 billion people live in areas where dengue viruses are transmitted. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and the Western Pacific. South East Asia and the western Pacific are most seriously affected (1). It is estimated that 50 million dengue infections occur each year, with 500 000 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and at least 12 000 deaths, mainly among children. Only a small proportion of these cases are reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The prevalence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: new data and plans for a tonsil archive
Authors: Horby P
Published: October 2017

A paper published in the British Medical Journal has provided new information on the prevalence of preclinical variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in the United Kingdom (UK) (1,2). A distinctive feature of vCJD is the widespread distribution of an abnormal prion protein in peripheral lymphoid tissue (3,4), which may be detectable before any symptoms develop (5). The authors looked retrospectively for the presence of abnormal prion protein in 8318 appendectomy and tonsillectomy samples and found one positive appendix. It is not known if an asymptomatic person with detectable abnormal prion protein will go on to develop vCJD but, as discussed in the paper, 19 of 20 appendixes removed at autopsy from patients with vCJD have shown accumulation of abnormal prion protein, as did the appendixes removed from two patients prior to disease onset (5). Whilst the paper does report the first estimate of the prevalence of abnormal prion protein based on population testing, larger studies are needed to provide a more precise estimate.
Nosocomial outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 6a (Nx, CpL) in the United Kingdom
Authors: O’Brien S , Ward L
Published: October 2017

During an ongoing investigation into a nosocomial outbreak of S. Enteritidis PT 6a (Nx, CpL) in London, where raw shell eggs were being used, the London Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory (LFWE) tested 402 raw shell eggs obtained from the premises. Two hundred and forty of these were labelled as imported, and four of the 40 samples of six pooled whole eggs were positive. The Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP) at the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (PHLS CDSC) confirmed the presence of S. Enteritidis PT 6 (one sample), S. Enteritidis PT 13a (one sample) and S. Enteritidis PT 14b (one sample). Of the 27 samples from the unlabelled eggs (162 eggs) one sample was positive for S. Enteritidis PT 6. Results are awaited on the final isolate. Since the raw eggs have been withdrawn from use no further cases have occurred. Hospitals in the United Kingdom are reminded that advice issued by the Chief Medical Officer in 1988 that raw shell eggs should be replaced with pasteurised eggs in recipes in institutions with high risk groups (1) is extant and must be adhered to if vulnerable patients are not to be put at risk.
Danish study finds no causal relationship between MMR vaccine and autism
Authors: Madsen K , Melbye M
Published: October 2017

Danish researchers from the Danish Epidemiology Science Centre at the University of Aarhus and the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen found no increased risk of autism among children who had been given measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) compared to children who were not vaccinated (1). The study, which was very large, and the first to use a population based cohort design, adds further evidence for the absence of any causal relationship between MMR vaccine and autism. It is thus in agreement with other studies designed to evaluate the suggested link (2-4).
Measles in Italy 2002: studies show correlation between vaccine coverage and incidence
Authors: Ciofi Degli Atti M L , D'Argenio P , di Giorgio G , Filonzi A , Grandori L
Published: October 2017

The geographical distribution of measles in Italy during the epidemic that occurred in 2002 (1) closely reflected the vaccination coverage distribution at provincial and regional level. Over recent years there had been an accumulation of susceptible children and adolescents. Estimates of the full impact of the 2002 epidemic are awaited although by July in one region there had been 13 cases of encephalitis and three deaths (1). To eliminate measles in Italy, it will be necessary to vaccinate more than 95% of children with two doses of vaccine and reduce older susceptibles with supplementary “catch-up” vaccination programmes. Also, as elimination gets closer, surveillance and the capacity to investigate epidemics must be improved.
Hepatitis A epidemiology in England and Wales
Authors: Granerød J , Crowcroft N
Published: October 2017

The recent reporting in ProMED (www.promedmail.org) of hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreaks in Sheffield has raised interest in the epidemiology of HAV infections in England and Wales (1). Data from 2001, and from the first two quarters of 2002 demonstrate that HAV infection is becoming an increasing problem. Seven hundred and sixty nine cases occurred overall during 2001, most of these being in men aged between 15 and 44 years (table 1). The Northern and Yorkshire region (which includes Sheffield) accounted for 21% of the total reports due to several outbreaks which occurred in this region (2). Although only 19% of reports included information on risk factors, intravenous drug users (IDUs) were the most prominent risk group among these.
Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs imported to Norway
Authors: Nygård K , Hauge K
Published: October 2017

Norway (like Finland and Sweden) has a very low level of Salmonella in domestic foodstuffs and animals. Therefore, strict guarantees in regard to Salmonella are required for foodstuff consignments to these countries. Foodstuffs subject to additional guarantees are fresh beef, veal, pork and poultry meat, and raw shell eggs for human consumption. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, which is the most common serotype found in poultry in most countries, has never been detected in Norwegian poultry production (1).
Measles eliminated in Finland since 1996 – will it last?
Authors: Rose Angie
Published: October 2017

As far back as the 1960s and 1970s, some countries in the world managed – at least temporarily – to interrupt transmission of measles by vaccination (1). In 1989, the 42nd World Health Assembly set a target for the global control of measles through a 90% reduction in incidence by 1995 (2). Measles elimination has been defined as the situation in a large geographical area in which there is no sustained transmission following the occurrence of an imported case (3). This is only possible if very high levels of population immunity are achieved and maintained. The World Health Organization (WHO) then targeted three regions for elimination. In 1994, the target elimination year for the Americas was set as 2000. This was successfully achieved by Jamaica and some other Caribbean countries (1,4). In 1997, the Eastern Mediterranean Region target year was 2010. Finally, in 1998, the WHO European Region measles elimination target was set at 2007. Finland is the first country in Europe to have documented measles elimination, and did so more than a decade in advance. There have been no indigenous cases reported since 1996, despite laboratory testing of all suspect cases since 1987 (when laboratory confirmation became a requirement for notification (5,6)).
European Food Safety Authority seeks scientists for its scientific committee and panels, and hopes that a permanent location will be found soon
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The management board of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, http://www.efsa.eu.int) met on 21 January, and among the issues discussed was selection of the experts who will provide scientific opinions to the EFSA (1). An expression of interest in membership of the EFSA Scientific Committee and panels was published the same day, with a closing date of 14 March (http://www.efsa.eu.int/recruitment_en.html). Those selected will be proposed to the board on 29 April, and the EFSA risk assessment programme is scheduled to begin soon after this date, making the EFSA scientifically operational.
Sharp increase in reports of infectious syphilis in Scotland in 2002
Authors: Redman Chris
Published: October 2017

There have been a number of recent outbreaks of infectious syphilis in several foci in Europe. To allow timely surveillance of infectious syphilis in Scotland, an enhanced surveillance system coordinated by the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) in collaboration with genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and key laboratories was implemented in late 2002 (1). Surveillance tools developed by the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (England) were used as the basis for the surveillance system, and retrospective data were collected to the beginning of 2001.
Training fellowships for intervention epidemiology in Europe: 9th cohort of EPIET starting October 2003
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) started in 1995. The programme is funded by the European Commission and by various European Union (EU) member states as well as Norway and the World Health Organization (WHO). Subject to agreement for another round of funding, the ninth cohort of fellows will start in October 2003. The programme invites applications for 10 fellowships for this 24 month training programme in communicable disease field epidemiology.
Virulent MRSA strains containing the Panton Valentine Leukocidin gene in the Netherlands
Authors: Wannet W J B
Published: October 2017

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains possessing the Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) gene have been detected in the Netherlands recently. The PVL gene encodes a highly potent toxin, which is involved in severe skin infections and necrotising pneumonia. PVL positive MRSA strains have also been noted in France (in healthy individuals; mean age 14 years), in the United States (for example, in the Los Angeles gay community, and in a large prison), and in Scotland (small outbreaks of skin abscesses in healthcare staff. The Scottish MRSA reference laboratory is now routinely screening both methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA for the PVL gene). It has been suggested that the PVL MRSA is acquired in the community (1-3).
Public Health Programme 2003-2008 information day
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

An information day will be held on 21 March in Luxembourg to encourage and help anyone interested in applying for funding under the new public health programme to gain a full understanding of the requirements and conditions. On 1 January 2003, the European Commission adopted the work plan 2003 for the implementation of the Public Health Programme (2003-2008). Priorities defined in the work plan for 2003 concentrate on those actions that will create solid foundations for the overall ambitions of the six year programme to run from 2003 to 2008.
Call for communicable disease proposals to be submitted by May 16 2003
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Commission this week published the Work Plan 2003 for the Community action in the field of public health, and a call for proposals to be submitted by 16 May 2003. The available budget for this call is €37 million.
Clinical descriptions of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

WHO coordinated virtual conference (http://www.who.int/csr/sars/cliniciansconference/en/)
On 26 March 80 clinicians from 13 countries participated in an electronic “grand rounds” on clinical features and treatment for patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) (1). Their discussion, organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) network of clinicians focused on features of the disease at presentation, treatment and progression of the disease, prognostic indicators and discharge criteria. No therapy demonstrated any particular effectiveness. Clinicians agreed that a subset of SARS patients, perhaps 10%, decline and need mechanical assistance to breathe. These patients often have other illnesses which complicates their care, and in this group, mortality is high.
Declining influenza activity in Europe while public concern over SARS has not increased general practice consultations for influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infections
Authors: Paget W J , Zambon M , Upphoff H , Bartelds A I M
Published: October 2017

Influenza activity in the 22 networks (19 countries) that participate in the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS, http://www.eiss.org/) in the week ending 6 April 2003 (week 14/2003) was regional in Italy, local in nine networks and sporadic in eight networks (1). One network – Portugal – reported no influenza activity, indicating that the overall level of clinical activity was at baseline levels. Compared to week 13/2003, clinical morbidity rates declined in thirteen networks and remained stable in two (France and Slovenia).
Possible transmission of SARS within the United Kingdom
Authors: Nicoll A , De Mateo S
Published: October 2017

The sixth probable case of sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) diagnosed in the United Kingdom (UK) was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 April (1). The patient has been isolated in hospital where his condition is reported as stable. He was diagnosed as a probable SARS case because of having a significant respiratory illness with radiological signs, and having had close contact with a probable case of SARS. Laboratory investigations are underway at the Central Public Health Laboratory of the Health Protection Agency. Initial tests for coronavirus have been negative. It is, however, recognized that such initial (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) tests can be negative in a person who is infected with the SARS virus. Definitive results through antibody testing of acute and convalescent sera will be available later (2, 3).
Current trends in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Germany
Authors: Hamouda O , Marcus U
Published: October 2017

Based on the latest figures, the estimated total number of new HIV infections in Germany has remained largely constant in recent years (1). The estimated figure for newly diagnosed infections in 2002 is 2000, about a quarter of which were in women.
Criteria for removing WHO travel warnings in relation to SARS - outcome of discussions between Hong Kong and World Health Organization
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

During a videoconference between Geneva and Hong Kong on 6 May, the World Health Organization (WHO) thanked the Hong Kong Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food for Hong Kong's continuing efforts at containing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). WHO thanked the Health Secretary in particular for allowing a Malaysian ship to enter the port recently with suspected SARS cases on board.
Decline in rabies cases in Europe 1990-2002
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The number of human and animal rabies cases in 2002 in Europe...
Human monkeypox in the US: investigations confirm that multiple animal species are susceptible to infection
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Traceback investigations in the human monkeypox outbreak in the United States
Adverse events following smallpox vaccination
Authors:   C Auckland
Published: October 2017

Reports of myopericarditis after smallpox vaccination
Rising reports of sexually acquired HIV infections in both western and eastern Europe
Authors: Forde J
Published: October 2017

The European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV, http://www.eurohiv.org) this month released the latest biannual report
Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in British tourists who stayed at a hotel in Majorca, Spain
Authors: Galmes A , Nicolau A , Arbona G , Smith-Palmer Alison , Hernández Pezzi G , Soler P ,   E Gomis,   M Guma,   Islas Baleares
Published: October 2017

On 22 July 2003, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health
Transfusion associated West Nile virus infection: implications for Europe
Authors: Brown R , Crowcroft N , Morgan D , Eglin R
Published: October 2017

There was a large increase in reported numbers of human West Nile virus infection in North America in 2002, compared with previous years, with 4156 cases identified in the United States
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies in sheep and goats – answers from the European Commission
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Commission has issued a series of answers to a selection of questions on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE), the family of illnesses that includes Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
New avian influenza virus A H5N7 identified in ducks in Denmark
Authors:   A Fomsgaard,   K Bragstad,   P Jørgensen
Published: October 2017

A new influenza A virus type, H5N7, has been identified for the first time in ducks in Denmark
EU call for tenders for a European exercise on bioterrorism
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

DG SANCO has issued a call for tenders concerning the development and conduct of an exercise for all EU countries to evaluate and improve preparedness against deliberate release of chemical and biological agents
Surgical site infection: first report from Scotland emphasizes the importance of post-discharge surveillance
Authors: Reilly Jacqui
Published: October 2017

The first report from the Scottish Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infection Programme (SSHAIP) was published earlier this month
Outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in the west of England
Authors: Hunt D , Kirrage D
Published: October 2017

There are 12 confirmed cases legionnaires’ disease
Cluster of cases of tetanus in injecting drug users in England: European alert
Authors: Hahné S , Crowcroft N , White J , Hope V , De Souza-Thomas L
Published: October 2017

Five cases of tetanus have been reported in injecting drug users in England since July 2003
World AIDS Day 2003: Global AIDS epidemic shows no sign of abating
Authors:   Sarah Dougan
Published: October 2017

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS,
Report for action from England's chief medical officer on reducing healthcare associated infection in England
Authors: Lee A
Published: October 2017

The chief medical officer for England (CMO) has published a report for action entitled Winning Ways: Working together to reduce Healthcare Associated Infection in England
WHO report: several foodborne infections are increasing in Europe
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The incidence of foodborne disease in many countries across Europe is increasing, according to the WHO
Avian influenza A(H5N1) in humans in Vietnam and poultry in Asia
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Avian influenza virus strain A(H5N1), which normally infects only birds, has been found in samples from 3 human patients in Vietnam in the past week
Meningococcal disease in Ireland since the introduction of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination
Authors: Fitzgerald M , O’Donnell J , O'Flanagan D , Cafferkey M , Murphy K
Published: October 2017

Eleven months after its launch in the United Kingdom (1), the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine (MenC vaccine) was introduced in Ireland in October 2000.
Report on the 2003 outbreak of monkeypox in the western hemisphere
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

In May and June 2003, an unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox occurred in six states across the United States (US). In total, there were 72 confirmed or suspected cases
Measles outbreak casts doubt on efficacy of post-exposure measles vaccination
Authors: Gergonne B ,   M Ramsay
Published: October 2017

A new report has cast doubt on the value of measles vaccine for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Surveillance guidelines for measles and congenital rubella infection in the WHO European Region
Authors:   R Pebody,   A Nardone,   D Brown,   S Glismann
Published: October 2017

The WHO Regional Office for Europe has recently published guidelines for the surveillance of measles and CRI
Modernisation of the International Health Regulations – WHO European Region
Authors: Nicoll A ,   J Jones
Published: October 2017

The current International Health Regulations, which were published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1969, were originally intended to help monitor and control six serious infectious diseases.
Community outbreak of hepatitis A in southern Italy – Campania, January-May 2004
Authors: Boccia D
Published: October 2017

Campania, a region in southern Italy, is one of the 20 political regions in Italy. Hepatitis A (HAV) is an endemic disease here, with an annual incidence rate often twice as high as the total rate for the rest of Italy
Tonsil study provides estimate of the number of people in the UK who could be incubating vCJD
Authors: Kelly C
Published: October 2017

A study providing an estimate of the number of individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) who may be incubating variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), has recently been published
WHO booklet gives an overview of health and healthcare in the 10 new member states of the European Union
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe has recently published a booklet entitled 10 Health Questions about the 10, which gives an overview of trends in population health and healthcare systems in the 10 new member states of the European Union
Tickborne encephalitis in the Czech Republic
Authors: Beran J
Published: October 2017

Tickborne encephalitis (TBE) is endemic in virtually all countries in central and eastern Europe.
Laboratory detection of bacteria with extended-spectrum beta-lactamases
Authors: Johnson A , Woodford N , Livermore D M
Published: October 2017

Escherichia coli and other species of Enterobacteriaceae producing CTX-M type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) have been reported from a number of European countries
A case of imported cholera from India reported in Brussels
Authors: Hanquet G , Gilbert V , Covas A , Vandenberg O , Dediste A , Gérard M , De Mol P , Coppens M , Reynders Daniel , Suetens C
Published: October 2017

On 6 June 2004, a case of cholera was reported to the Brussels health inspection by a physician at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Saint-Pierre in Brussels. A 43 year old woman living in India left New Delhi on 2 June 2004 for a tour of Europe, together with nine family members.
Differentiating inhalational anthrax from other influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections in the setting of a deliberate release of Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Walsh A , Morgan D
Published: October 2017

Many acute respiratory illnesses are viral in aetiology, and the infections are broadly grouped together as influenza-like illness (ILI) because of the similarity in presenting symptoms.
Tuberculosis screening programmes in new entrants to countries across Europe
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Approaches to screening immigrants to European countries for tuberculosis vary widely. Some countries have no specific policy, and some have comprehensive policies
Salmonella outbreak linked to food outlet in northeast England
Authors:   D Wilson
Published: October 2017

An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium definitive phage type (DT) 104 infections linked to a food shop is currently being investigated
Drug-resistant malaria: new drug candidate offers hope of highly effective treatment
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

The recent identification of a new candidate antimalarial drug may be an advance in the fight against the increasingly drug-resistant, malaria-causing, Plasmodium parasite. The new compound is related to artemisinin, a natural compound extracted from the sweet wormwood plant
New action points in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Europe and Central Asia
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

As numbers of new HIV infections increase across the European Union, and figures from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) show over 1.8 million people living with HIV in Europe and Central Asia, the European Commission wants attention refocused on the problem
ECDC management board elects chair and deputy following international startup event in Stockholm
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

A startup event was held for the new European Union agency, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in Stockholm on 27 September, in preparation for the operational start date of May 2005
Hepatitis A outbreak in men who have sex with men, Oslo and Bergen in Norway
Authors: Blystad H , Kløvstad H , Stene-Johansen Kathrine , Steen Tore
Published: October 2017

As of 18 October 2004, 150 cases of hepatitis A have so far this year been reported to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Communicable Diseases
Tuberculosis in Germany: epidemiological analysis of the 2002 national situation and 2003 preliminary results
Authors: Brodhun B , Altmann D , Haas W. H.
Published: October 2017

In 2002 in Germany, 7684 tuberculosis cases which fulfilled the reference definition were notified to the Robert Koch-Institut in Berlin. This was the first time an increase in annual reported cases had been observed since 1992
E-alert: outbreak of Salmonella Thompson infections caused by contaminated ruccola (rocket) salad
Authors:   K Nygård,   J Lassen,   L Vold,   P Aavitsland
Published: October 2017

On November 15, three isolates of Salmonella Thompson from patients who had not been abroad were detected by the reference laboratory at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Infections caused by Salmonella Thompson are very rare in Norway
Trends in antimicrobial resistance in Europe: report from EARSS
Authors: Bruinsma N , EARSS Collective
Published: October 2017

In Europe, the proportion of erythromycin resistance among invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates has remained at a high level over the past few years
Health Protection Scotland: new health protection body for Scotland replaces SCIEH
Authors:   N Macdonald
Published: October 2017

Following a review of health protection needs in Scotland, a new health protection body, Health Protection Scotland, was created in November 2004
Teringzooi – the ‘Bloody Mess’ exhibition - gives a striking history of infectious disease
Authors:   P Bijkerk
Published: October 2017

An exhibition at the Museum Boerhaave in Leiden – the Dutch National Museum of Science and Medicine - offers a graphic and informative history of infectious disease in Europe. The Dutch name of the exhibition, Teringzooi, can be translated into English as ‘bloody mess’
BSE agent in goat tissue: first known naturally occurring case confirmed
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

On 28 January, the European Commission confirmed the first known naturally occurring case of BSE agent in a goat, slaughtered in France in 2002
E-alert 18 February: Cases of rabies in Germany following organ transplantation
Authors: Hellenbrand W , Meyer C , Rasch Gernot , Steffens I , Ammon A
Published: October 2017

On 16 February 2005, the Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (German Foundation for Organ Transplantation, http://www.dso.de/) announced possible rabies cases in three of six patients who received organs from a donor who died in late December 2004
Large ongoing rubella outbreak in religious community in the Netherlands since September 2004
Authors: Hahné S , Ward M , Abbink F , van Binnendijk R , Ruijs Helma , van Steenbergen J , Timen A , de Melker H
Published: October 2017

As of 25 February 2005, 128 serologically confirmed cases of rubella were notified in the Netherlands (since 1 September 2004). This is a large increase compared with the annual average of five cases
Burkholderia pseudomallei infections in Finnish tourists injured by the December 2004 tsunami in Thailand
Authors: Nieminen T , Vaara M
Published: October 2017

Burkholderia pseudomallei was isolated from three Finnish patients in January 2005. All three cases were in tourists who were visiting Khao Lak on the southwest coast of Thailand when the tsunami struck in December 2004
Hepatitis B transmission in care homes linked to blood glucose monitoring, Belgium and United States
Authors: De Schrijver K , Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

In two nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium, four cases of acute hepatitis B infection have recently been detected, linked to the multiple use of blood capillary sampling devices on diabetic patients
A nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans PT24, Germany, December 2004-March 2005.
Authors: Gilsdorf A , Jansen A , Alpers K , Dieckmann H , van Treeck U , Hauri A M , Fell G , Littmann M , Rautenberg Peter , Prager R , Rabsch W , Roggentin Peter , Schroeter Andreas , Miko A , Bartelt E , Bräunig J , Ammon A
Published: October 2017

Since late 2004, there has been an increase in notifications of Salmonella enterica serovar Bovismorbificans infections in northwest Germany.
Occurrence of ticks infected by tickborne encephalitis virus and Borrelia genospecies in mountains of the Czech Republic
Authors: Daniel M , Kriz B , Danielová V , Materna J , Rudenko N , Holubová J , Schwarzová L , Golovchenko M
Published: October 2017

In the Czech Republic, there has been an increase in the tick population (Ixodes ricinus) at altitudes over 700m above sea level
Largest ever Marburg haemorrhagic fever outbreak, Angola
Authors: Lawrence J , Hill D. R.
Published: October 2017

Since October 2004, an outbreak of Marburg haemorrhagic fever has been occurring in Angola, southwest Africa. As of 6 April 2005, 181 cases including 156 deaths have been reported by the Ministry of Health in Angola
E-alert 13 April: Worldwide laboratory distribution of influenza A/H2N2 virus similar to 1957-58 pandemic strain, labs asked to destroy all samples immediately
Authors: Editorial team Collective , Meijer A , Brown C S , Paget W J
Published: October 2017

An influenza A/H2N2 virus, similar to that which caused the 1957-8 influenza pandemic has been inadvertently distributed in proficiency panels for quality control assessment to at least 3686 laboratories
An outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in Lyon, France, April-May 2005: preliminary results
Authors: Schmitt M , Bitar D
Published: October 2017

In May 2005, an outbreak of 34 cases of legionnaires’ disease was detected in a suburb of Lyon, in eastern France.
A nationwide outbreak of multiresistant Salmonella Typhimurium in Finland due to contaminated lettuce from Spain, May 2005
Authors: Takkinen J , Nakari U  M , Johansson T , Niskanen T , Siitonen A , Kuusi M
Published: October 2017

A rare multiresistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104B has caused an outbreak of 60 microbiologically confirmed cases in May 2005, widely distributed across southern and western Finland
WHO status paper on prisons, drugs and harm reduction
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

Strong evidence that harm reduction in prisons can protect prisoners’ health has led the World Health Organization
Increase in reported syphilis infections in Scotland in 2004
Authors: Wallace L , Winter A , Goldberg D
Published: October 2017

A total of 186 cases of infectious syphilis were reported in Scotland during 2004 via an enhanced surveillance system
Large decrease in incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae b disease following introduction of routine vaccination in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kriz P , Lebedova V , Beneš C
Published: October 2017

Routine vaccination of infants against Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) was introduced in the Czech Republic in July 2001
Highly pathogenic avian influenza reported to be spreading into western Russia
Authors: Coulombier D , Paget W J , Meijer A , Ganter B
Published: October 2017

Highly pathogenic avian influenza seems to have spread westward in Russian bird populations. Authorities are reporting new outbreaks of infections in birds at 15 poultry farms around the city of Chelyabinsk, immediately east of the Ural mountains
UK proposed guideline on management of severe malaria in children should trigger creation of European guideline
Authors: Jelinek T
Published: October 2017

Available clinical and scientific evidence for the management of severe malaria in children has recently been gathered and translated into a proposal for a guideline for the United Kingdom
English translations of the latest avian influenza news from Russia available from EpiNorth
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

English translations of the latest official Russian press releases on the avian influenza situation in Russia are available on the EpiNorth website (http://www.epinorth.org/)
Imported frozen raspberries cause a series of norovirus outbreaks in Denmark, 2005
Authors: Falkenhorst G , Krusell L , Lisby M , Madsen S. B. , Böttiger B  E , Mølbak K
Published: October 2017

A total of six point source outbreaks of norovirus infection from June to September 2005 in Denmark have now been linked to frozen raspberries imported from Poland.
Tickborne encephalitis in Switzerland: significant increase in notified cases, 2005
Authors: Zimmermann H
Published: October 2017

The number of notifications of tickborne encephalitis (TBE) Switzerland was the highest ever recorded in 2004, with 134 cases, and a further significant increase in 2005 is already apparent
Outbreak of trichinellosis due to consumption of bear meat from Canada, France, September 2005
Authors: Ancelle T , De Bruyne A , Poisson D. M. , Dupouy-Camet J
Published: October 2017

On 22 September 2005, the Institut de Veille Sanitaire was alerted by a biologist at a hospital in Orléans
Avian influenza outbreaks in the WHO European region and public health actions
Authors: Brown C S , Horstick O , Naville F , Rodier G , Ganter B
Published: October 2017

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus in poultry and wild birds
Recent outbreak of rabies infections in Brazil transmitted by vampire bats
Authors: Gupta R. K.
Published: October 2017

On 25 October 2005, the Brazilian ministry of health reported a new focus of human rabies infections transmitted by blood eating vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in northeast Brazil
Bats as the reservoir for outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Williams C  J
Published: October 2017

A study from China has provided evidence that bats may be the natural reservoir for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)
Successful reduction of human Salmonella Enteritidis infection in England and Wales
Authors: Gillespie I A , Elson R
Published: October 2017

Following a sustained increase in the incidence of infections caused by Salmonella Enteritidis phage types
US study suggests universal vaccination of children with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is beneficial for adults
Authors: Doroshenko A
Published: October 2017

A recent study from the United States concluded that the use of 7-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine
ECDC recruiting for IT expert in Unit of Surveillance and Communication
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Applications are being invited for the post of information technology expert at the ECDC in Stockholm
Large outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104, the Netherlands, September–November 2005
Authors: Kivi M , van Pelt W , Notermans D W , van de Giessen A , Wannet W J B , Bosman A
Published: October 2017

At the end of September 2005, an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 infections was detected in the Netherlands. From 19 September to 7 November 2005, 165 extra cases of S. Typhimurium DT104 infection were recorded
Hepatitis A outbreak in a group of Danish tourists returning from Turkey, October 2005
Authors: Howitz M , Mazick A , Mølbak K
Published: October 2017

On 3 November 2005, four cases of IgM-positive hepatitis A infections were notified to the Department of Epidemiology at Statens Serum Institut in Denmark.
H5N1 avian influenza: update on the global situation
Authors: De Martin S , Nicoll A
Published: October 2017

Type A/H5N1 influenza virus, a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
European drugs agency highlights trends in drug use and problems affecting drug users
Authors: Wiessing L
Published: October 2017

The latest annual report from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA
Urgent action needed to stop spread of hepatitis B and C in Estonian drug users
Authors: Tefanova V , Tallo T , Kutsar K , Priimgi L
Published: October 2017

In 1996, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections began to spread rapidly in northeastern Estonia
Unusual phage pattern of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from Swedish patients and Italian salami
Authors: Hjertqvist M , Luzzi I , Löfdahl S , Olsson A , Rådal J , Andersson Y
Published: October 2017

On 9 December 2005, the salmonella reference laboratory at Smittskyddsinstitutet (the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, SMI) contacted
Surveillance system in place for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, Torino, Italy, 2006
Authors: Epidemiological Consultation Team Collective
Published: October 2017

The Winter Olympic Games will take place from 10 to 26 February 2006 in Torino, in northwest Italy. This event will be followed by the Paralympic Games, held from 10 to 19 March
Scarlet fever outbreak in two nurseries in southwest England
Authors: Hoek M , Dalling J , Thompson S , King S , Bell A , Evans M R , Cotterill S , Lewis D A
Published: October 2017

Fifty cases of scarlet fever were reported in a county in southwest England between 1 January and 28 February 2006
Measles outbreak in the Ukraine, 2005-2006
Authors: Spika J. S. , Aidyralieva C , Mukharskaya L , Kostyuchenko N. N. , Mulders M , Lipskaya G , Emiroglu N
Published: October 2017

An increase in the number of measles cases has been reported from Ukraine to the World Health Organization since February 2005. By the end of February 2006, 19 673 cases of measles had been reported
Outbreaks of measles in Germany, 2006
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

Between mid-January and 23 March 2006, 246 cases of measles were notified in the federal region of Nordrhein Westfalen
Different approaches to gathering epidemic intelligence in Europe
Authors: Kaiser R , Coulombier D
Published: October 2017

‘Epidemic intelligence’ can be defined as all the activities related to early identification of potential health threats, their verification, assessment and investigation as a basis for recommending control measures.
QFLU: new influenza monitoring in UK primary care to support pandemic influenza planning
Authors: Hippisley-Cox J , Smith S , Smith G E , Porter A , Heaps M , Holland R , Fenty J , Harcourt S , George R , Charlett A , Pebody R G , Painter M
Published: October 2017

In 2006, a new national influenza surveillance system began reporting in the United Kingdom. QFLU is a new daily data collection
Botulism associated with vacuum-packed smoked whitefish in Finland, June-July 2006
Authors: Lindström M , Vuorela M , Hinderink K , Korkeala H , Dahlsten E , Raahenmaa M , Kuusi M
Published: October 2017

On 29 June 2006, a 65 year old woman fell ill with vomiting and diarrhoea in southern Finland