bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current situation of respiratory tuberculosis in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez Valín Elena
Published: October 2017

In Spain, the Red Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica (National Epidemiological Surveillance Network) classifies both respiratory and meningeal tuberculosis as statutorily notifiable diseases (SND), to be reported on an individual basis in accordance with specific reporting protocols and case definitions (1).
Imported malaria in Norway
Authors: Blystad H , Løvoll Ø
Published: October 2017

A decrease in imported cases of malaria has been registered at the Meldingssystem for smittsomme sykdommer (MSIS, Norway’s surveillance system for communicable diseases) since 1997 (table 1) (1). The 77 cases reported in 2001, equivalent to an incidence of 1.7 per 100 000 population, are a 28% reduction in number compared with the situation five years earlier (table 1).
Surveillance of bacterial meningitis in Europe 1999/2000
Authors: Noah N
Published: October 2017

The report Surveillance of Bacterial Meningitis in Europe for the epidemiological year 1999/2000 (July-June) has been published (1). This informal surveillance network, affiliated to the European Monitoring Group on Meningococci, has been in operation for over a decade. It was funded first by the National Meningitis Trust (now the Meningitis Trust) in England, and since then by Wyeth Lederle. The surveillance includes some countries outside Europe.
A waterborne outbreak of Norwalk-like virus in a winter holiday resort in Sweden
Authors: Carrique-Mas J  J , Andersson Y , Hedlund K  O , Petersén B ,   J Giesecke
Published: October 2017

During the last week of February 2002 (designated ‘winter sports week’ in Sweden), health authorities were informed of several cases of gastroenteritis among guests at a hotel in a holiday resort in Sweden. The area was in peak tourist season during this period, with many visitors from Sweden and abroad.
Update - cases of acute respiratory infection with myocarditis and pericarditis in Greece
Authors: Panagiotopoulos T , Tsiodras S , Spala G , Kourbeti I , Triantafyllou E , Lionis C , Philalithis A , Pediaditis J , Tseleintis Y ,   A Spilioti,   K Katsibris,   A Baka,   G Saroglou
Published: October 2017

On 9 April, headline news in a local newspaper in Crete reported the death of a previously healthy 45 year old woman in Heraklion. The death, which occurred on 5 April, was associated with myocarditis after upper respiratory tract infection. A second death (13 April) of a 48-year old woman from eastern Crete with similar symptoms was also headline news.
February issue of Eurosurveillance now available online
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The February issue of the monthly bulletin Eurosurveillance, also funded by the European Commission, is now online (in English and French) at http://www.eurosurveillance.org/.
Illness in military personnel in Bagram, Afghanistan
Authors: Morgan D , Horstick O , Nicoll A , Brown D W , Gray J J , Hawker J
Published: October 2017

Between 13 and 19 May, 29 cases of vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever affected British military staff in Bagram, Afghanistan, as reported in this week’s Communicable Disease Report (1). The illness had a short incubation period and mainly affected staff in the field hospital. Three patients were classified as seriously ill, with circulatory collapse (Glasgow coma score 4). Due to the difficult conditions in Bagram, 10 of them were brought back to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical care in National Health Service (NHS) hospitals.
Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Ireland linked to public water supply
Authors: Jennings P , Rhatigan Annette
Published: October 2017

The Department of Public Health and Planning of the Midland Health Board in the Republic of Ireland noted an increase in the number of cases of Cryptosporidium reported by the laboratory in one region of the Board in April-May 2002 (this laboratory normally reports between zero and two cases each month).
VTEC 2003: fifth international symposium on Vero cytotoxigenic E. coli to be held June 2003
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The fifth triennial international symposium on Vero cytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) infections (VTEC 2003) will take place in Edinburgh in between 8 and 13 June 2003. It will be a showcase for the latest research on VTEC infections from around the world and will build on the success of the 1997 conference in Baltimore, USA, and more recently in Kyoto, Japan, in 2000.
Rising trends of HIV, gonorrhoea, and syphilis in Europe make case for introducing European surveillance systems
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

The prevalence of gonorrhoea and syphilis, and that of HIV infection among heterosexuals, has been increasing in many European countries since 1995, and surveillance of sexually transmitted infections other than HIV should be introduced at a European level, according to an article published in the BMJ last week (1) The authors studied new diagnoses of HIV infection reported by the 10 west European countries collaborating with the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV, http://www.eurohiv.org/). For gonorrhoea and syphilis, they consulted published annual reports from national surveillance centres, and conducted a systematic literature search of published papers.
Tuberculosis control in Europe needs expanded DOTS, linked HIV/TB control, and improved surveillance
Authors: Infuso A , Veen J
Published: October 2017

The eighth Wolfheze Workshop, in the Netherlands from 7-12 June 2002, has concluded that tuberculosis (TB) control in Europe needs expanded directly observed treatment-short course (DOTS), linked HIV and TB control, and improved surveillance. The workshop consisted of three consecutive modules attended by a total of 92 delegates from 45 countries. The first Wolfheze workshop on tuberculosis control in Europe was held in 1990 as a policy platform for low tuberculosis incidence countries. It became a platform for TB control in all of Europe after the epidemiological changes observed in the former Soviet Union.
Rapid reporting EU surveillance system for Neisseria meningitidis W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 – update
Authors: Handford S
Published: October 2017

An epidemic of invasive meningococcal disease occurred in pilgrims returning from the haj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 2000. The strain of Neisseria meningitidis isolated from these cases was W135: 2a: P1.2, 5, or compatible with that strain. In September 2000, enhanced surveillance for W135: 2a: P1.2, 5 or compatible strains was established in sentinel countries within the European Union surveillance network for invasive meningococcal disease (1, and references therein). Data is reported weekly from the six participating countries’ reference laboratories, and a similar increase in cases of this strain was detected in association with haj 2001. This report summarises all confirmed cases in the period 23 February to 31 May 2002, the period following haj 2002.
Recent sharp rise in registered HIV infections in Lithuania
Authors: Caplinskas S , Likatavicius, G
Published: October 2017

A sharp rise in registered HIV infections has been detected in Lithuania after investigation of an outbreak affecting prisoners in a particular prison. Between January and May 2002, a total of 230 infections were registered (figure 1). After the first diagnosis of HIV infection in the country in 1988, the number of registered HIV infections increased gradually until the end of 2001. In contrast in the neighboring countries of Latvia and Estonia, totals of 2006 infections and 2396 infections respectively had been registered by 15 May 2002. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, many common factors have been influencing HIV transmission in the former Soviet republics, among them a dramatic increase in drug misuse, a worsening economic situation, and increased unemployment.
WHO declares European Region polio-free
Authors: Hoile E
Published: October 2017

The European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) has become the third WHO region to be certified free of poliomyelitis, it was announced on 21 June at a meeting of the European Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (RCC) in Copenhagen (1).
Epidemic measles in the Campania region of Italy leads to 13 cases of encephalitis and 3 deaths
Authors: Ciofi Degli Atti M L , Salmaso S , Pizzuti Renato ,   P D'Agnese,   C Bove,   D Protano,   A D'Argenzio,   M L Trabucco
Published: October 2017

Measles vaccine became commercially available in Italy in 1976 and the administration of one dose at 15 months of age was recommended by the ministry of health in 1979. In the 1980s, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced, and in 1999 the recommended age for the first dose was lowered to 12 months. Decisions regarding the administration of MMR vaccine are the responsibility of the regional health authorities, and vaccination coverage varies greatly by region. In 1999, taking into account the varying levels of vaccine coverage in children up to the age of 24 months in different regions, the ministry of health recommended strategies including a catch up campaign, and the offer of a second dose (1). A distinction was therefore made between areas with one dose measles vaccine coverage of less than 80% and those with higher levels of coverage. In areas with lower coverage, the vaccination of older susceptible children was emphasised, while in regions where vaccine coverage within the first two years of life exceeded 80%, the administration of a second dose at 5-6 years or at 11-12 years of age was recommended.
BICHAT: an EU initiative to improve preparedness and response to bioterrorism
Authors: Tegnell A , Van Loock F , Hendriks J , Baka A , Vittozzi L
Published: October 2017

Biowarfare and bioterrorism were subjects that interested few outside a fairly small group of experts until the autumn of 2001. The deliberate release of biological agents through the mail system in the United States completely changed awareness (1), and bioterror moved high on the political and scientific agenda worldwide. The fight against bioterrorism became a key political priority, and several countries, particularly in North America and Europe, took measures to increase preparedness and response capacity to threats and attacks involving the use of biological and chemical agents.
Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the United States
Authors: Woodford N
Published: October 2017

Since the first reports of glycopeptide resistant enterococci (GRE) in 1987, concern has been expressed about enterococcal van genes, which encode vancomycin resistance, reaching Staphylococcus aureus. This often voiced fear has now been realised, with the reported isolation of a VanA MRSA (vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) >128 mg/L; teicoplanin MIC 32 mg/L) from the tip of a dialysis catheter and from a chronic foot ulcer of a patient in Michigan, in the United States; glycopeptide resistant Enterococcus faecalis (genotype not specified) was also isolated from the ulcer (1).
Rates of syphilis in England are rising
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

Between 1998 and 2000 the number of cases of infectious syphilis in England more than doubled, largely driven by several localised outbreaks. These outbreaks suggest a resurgence of unsafe sexual behaviour among both heterosexual and homosexual people in England. They also emphasise the importance of sustained multidisciplinary public health action in this area, according to an article published in last week’s BMJ (1). The general public, certain groups at risk, and relevant health professionals should be aware of the risks of acquiring syphilis and of the symptoms and signs of acute infection.
Preventing vertical transmission of HIV
Authors: Twisselmann B
Published: October 2017

Vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child can be prevented effectively only if the mother’s serostatus is known. Antenatal screening programmes can play an important part in this unless the prevalence in the population is very low, as reported in the Journal of Medical Screening (1).
Cluster of shigellosis in men in Berlin in 2001
Authors:   U Marcus,   P Zucs,   V Bremer,   O Hamouda,   H Tschäpe,   N Macdonald
Published: October 2017

Shigellosis is an acute bacterial disease of the large and small intestine caused by one of four shigella species. Shigella serotypes are transmitted by direct or indirect faecal-oral contact, and outbreaks of shigellosis are traditionally associated with conditions of crowding or where personal hygiene is poor, such as prisons, day care centres, and psychiatric institutions. Outbreaks among men who have sex with men (MSM) have become more common in recent years, along with increases in high risk sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV (1-5). Shigellosis in MSM was first described in San Francisco in 1974 (6). By the early 1980s, shigella infections in men supplanted cycles of shigellosis in more traditionally recognised risk groups, suggesting the importance of shigella infections transmitted by MSM (7).
Legionnaires' disease outbreak in England – update
Authors:   N Calvert
Published: October 2017

The outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in north west England has resulted in two more deaths since 7 August, bringing the total number of deaths in this outbreak to three (1). At 2 pm on 15 August 2002 the outbreak control team was aware of 116 confirmed cases of legionnaires’ disease that fit the standard case definition. At present the observed case-fatality rate of 2.7% is considerably lower than the rate observed in previous outbreaks in the United Kingdom.
WHO’s response to the threat of deliberate releases of chemical and biological agents
Authors: Harling R
Published: October 2017

Following the deliberate releases of anthrax in the United States last autumn, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified a need to review existing emergency plans and implement further actions to allow member states, WHO and other international organisations to prevent, prepare for and respond to deliberate releases of chemical and biological agents (1). Previous WHO guidance on the threat of bioterrorism, specific activities at European Union level, and the coordinated international initiative to improve global health security, have been described in Eurosurveillance Weekly (2-5).
Outbreak of acute neurological disease due to Nipah virus infection in Bangladesh in 2001
Authors: Gill O  N
Published: October 2017

Preliminary findings based on the serological tests of a continuing outbreak investigation of a severe encephalitic illness in Meherpur, Bangladesh, in April-May 2001 suggest that the etiological agent may be Nipah or a closely related virus (1). A press report in early May 2001 described an outbreak of suspected Japanese encephalitis (JE) in a remote village in Meherpur (2). There were 28 adult cases, mostly in men, of an acute neurological syndrome (progressive fever, malaise, headache, and coma). Nine of them died. Viral encephalitis was diagnosed clinically, but lumbar puncture and other investigations were not performed (3). Cases of a similar disease had occurred in Siliguri, India (not far from Bangladesh), earlier in 2001. Epidemiological information is not yet available.
100 years of infectious disease prevention and control at Denmark’s Statens Serum Institut
Authors: Strandberg Pedersen Nils
Published: October 2017

Denmark’s Statens Serum Institute (SSI) celebrated its centenary last week with an international symposium entitled ‘Vaccines for the 21st century – development and strategies’ (11-12 September), and the launch of a new website (http://www.ssi.dk/) (1). SSI was inaugurated on 9 September 1902 to ensure the production and supply of anti-diphtheria serum for Danish patients. Throughout its 100 year history, the institute has continuously applied research based knowledge to the prevention and control of infectious diseases and congenital disorders.
Risky behaviour and inequalities in sexual health across Europe
Authors: Adams E
Published: October 2017

Risky sexual behaviour and the disproportionate burden of STIs in certain population subgroups across Europe was a strong message emerging from the 18th Congress on Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI-EUROPE 2002), held on the 12-14 September in Vienna, Austria. Complete conference programme and abstracts are available at reference 1, and will shortly be available online at http://www.iusti-europe-2002.org/).
European Commissioner again pledges European centre for disease control by 2005
Authors: Pritchard L
Published: October 2017

David Byrne, Europe’s Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, reiterated the European Commission’s commitment to the creation of a European centre for disease control by 2005 at the 2002 meeting of the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG, http://www.ehfg.org/) (1,2). The centre will bring together the expertise in member states and will act as a reference and coordination point both in routine and crises situations. The Commission also plans to establish a health portal for online information by 2004.
First case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease reported in Italy - update
Authors: Molesworth A M ,   P Horby
Published: October 2017

A paper published in the Lancet this week describes the first case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in Italy (1). The patient, a 25 year old Sicilian woman, developed clinical symptoms in 2001 and was first reported in February this year (2). Although definitive diagnosis of vCJD requires neuropathological confirmation, the woman’s illness fulfils the diagnostic criteria for probable vCJD (3), a brain scan was characteristic of vCJD and the abnormal protein associated with vCJD has been detected in a tonsil biopsy.
Sporadic case of bat rabies in the United Kingdom
Authors: Fooks A. R. ,   N Johnson
Published: October 2017

On 28 September 2002 a sporadic case of a lyssavirus in a Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) was detected in the United Kingdom (UK) using the fluorescent antibody test, as reported in this week’s Communicable Disease Report (1). Further tests on the bat sample were performed, including a rabies tissue culture inoculation test and pan lyssavirus polymerase chain reaction. These confirmed the presence of a lyssavirus.
United States smallpox response plans: a commentary from the Bioterrorism Taskforce (BICHAT) perspective
Authors: Hendriks J , Tegnell A , Bossi P , Baka A , van Loock F , Wallyn S , Vittozzi L , Lustig B , Maidhof H , Werner A , Gouvras G
Published: October 2017

The US plan
As the United States (US) continues to expand counterterrorism capabilities, smallpox has
emerged as perhaps the most feared biological weapon because it is so contagious and
deadly. With the possibility of a war with Iraq, the US Defense Department has asked for
enough vaccine from the national smallpox vaccine stockpile for 1 million military personnel,
to be available by the beginning of November 2002. To protect US citizens against a
deliberate release of the smallpox virus, US federal experts have been working on a
comprehensive preparedness plan with two tracks: a (pre-event) vaccination programme for
the emergency medical workers most likely to see an initial case of smallpox, and a (post-
event) mass vaccination plan if an attack occurs. The latter is now available and has recently
been distributed to all states by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
(http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/response-plan/index.asp). The documentation
provided includes many detailed instructions and recommendations on the logistics that go
with such a massive campaign. Of particular interest are the forms included for obtaining
consent from people about to be vaccinated - a crucial issue. The manual states that following
a confirmed smallpox outbreak in the US, rapid voluntary vaccination of a large population
may be required.
Cluster of wound botulism cases in injecting drug users in England (*see footnote)
Authors: Horby P , Brown A
Published: October 2017

Six cases of wound botulism in injecting drug users (IDUs) have been reported by the Public Health Laboratory Service Food Safety Microbiology Laboratory (PHLS FSML) in London since 1 August 2002 (1). This brings the total number of clinically diagnosed cases of wound botulism in IDUs reported in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland to 13 in 2002 (2, 3). The recent cases may be caused by a batch of drugs contaminated with the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Reports of wound botulism in IDUs are a relatively new phenomenon with no clinically diagnosed cases in the UK and Republic of Ireland up to the end of 1999. There were, however, six reports in 2000 and four in 2001 (4 and references therein, 5 and references therein).
UK Food Standards Agency raises concerns over Spanish eggs with European Commission
Authors: Pritchard L
Published: October 2017

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom (UK) has raised concerns over Spanish eggs with the European Commission, and directly with the Spanish food safety authorities after evidence emerged of a link between a number of outbreaks of Salmonella in England and Wales and eggs imported from Spain (1). An outbreak of gastroenteritis due to a strain of S. Enteritidis PT 14b (not known to be linked with foreign travel) is ongoing in England and Wales, with a cumulative total of 290 confirmed cases at 6 November (2 and references therein). The FSA has issued guidance to importers and wholesalers of Spanish eggs that they should ensure that these eggs are heat treated.
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Hoile E
Published: October 2017

The Department of Health in England has issued the latest figures on known cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United Kingdom (UK), including cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the form of the disease thought to be linked to bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
New issue of EpiNorth online
Authors: Gundersen V R
Published: October 2017

The latest issue of EpiNorth (volume 3, number 3), the bulletin of the network for infectious disease control in the Barents and Baltic Sea Region, is now available online at www.epinorth.org
Diagnosis of lyssavirus infection confirmed in case of human rabies in Scotland - updated 25 November
Authors: Hoile E
Published: October 2017

Laboratory results of tests on the case of suspected rabies in Tayside, Scotland, have shown that the man was infected with a European bat lyssavirus (EBL) (1). Further results on the type of EBL are awaited. The patient died on 24 November 2002 (2).
Eastern Europe and Central Asia still home to world's fastest-growing HIV/AIDS epidemic
Authors: Pritchard L
Published: October 2017

The unfortunate distinction of having the world's fastest-growing HIV/AIDS epidemic still belongs to eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to the report, AIDS epidemic update 2002, released this week (1). In southern Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has greatly decreased the capacity of farm communities to survive famine (2). The update on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic was issued by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization, in advance of World AIDS day on 1 December.
Paris syphilis screening campaign extended to selected French towns and cities
Authors: Pritchard L , Hoile E
Published: October 2017

Syphilis cases in France have been increasing rapidly since 2000. Cases of infectious syphilis diagnosed in Paris increased from 30 in 2000 to 148 in 2001, and 203 were reported between January and October 2002 (1). In light of the resurgence of syphilis in France and other European countries in recent years (2-6), the French authorities began a syphilis screening campaign in Paris in May 2002. Syphilis has not been a notifiable disease in France since 1986, but in 2000, the Institut de Veille Sanitaire (InVS) set up a surveillance network that included clinical settings, including STI clinics (Dispensaires antiveneriens, DAV), dermato-venereology clinics, and internal medicine clinics.
SWEDRES 2001 - report on Swedish antibiotic use and resistance in human medicine
Authors: Cars O , Ekdahl K
Published: October 2017

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing threat to human health. Although the prevalence of resistant bacteria in Sweden is low in comparison to many other countries, international trends are alarming and resistance genes do not respect any borders. Recently, the first yearly report on surveillance and control systems for both antibiotic use and resistance was published and made available on the Internet (1). The report is a joint collaboration between the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI,
 http://www.smittskyddsinstitutet.se) and the Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents (STRAMA,
 http://www.strama.org). This first yearly report covers data from 2001 and from previous years. Most resistance data have been routinely collected from the local laboratories by the SMI and the Swedish Reference Group for Antibiotics and its subcommittee on methodology (SRGA-M,
 http://www.srga.org/), but data on specific organisms for the SWEDRES Report were also sent from individual contributing laboratories. 
Public Health Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis in raw shell eggs in England and Wales
Authors: Mitchell R , Little C , Ward L , Surman Susanne
Published: October 2017

In response to a dramatic change in the epidemiology of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in England and Wales, thought to be associated with raw shell eggs (1), the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has initiated an outbreak-related Public Health Investigation (PHI) (2). Raw shell eggs from premises linked to outbreaks of S. Enteritidis, or their sources of supply are examined for Salmonella spp. and isolates are sent to the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP) for confirmation and typing. The results to date are shown in the table below.
Global Health Security Initiative strengthens preparedness and response to smallpox and other bioterrorist threats
Authors: Hoile E
Published: October 2017

Preparedness and response to the threats of smallpox, chemical release and pandemic influenza were discussed at the third meeting of the Global Health Security Initiative on 6 December 2002 in Mexico City. The meeting was attended by health ministers and secretaries from the G7+ countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (US), plus Mexico), and the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection (1). The first meeting, which saw the launch of the initiative, was held in Ottawa in November 2001, and a second meeting was held in London, in March 2002 (2).
Heightened health security concern following ricin alert in the United Kingdom
Authors: Editorial team Collective
Published: October 2017

On 7 January the Metropolitan Police and the English Department of Health’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) made a joint statement (1) informing the public that seven people had been arrested in London on 5 January under the Terrorism Act 2000 (http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000011.htm).
Hepatitis A infections in intravenous drug users, Finland, 2002
Authors: Kuusi M , Nuorti P , Rostila Timo , Jokinen C
Published: October 2017

In 2002, 385 microbiologically confirmed cases of hepatitis A were reported in Finland (annual incidence 7.4/100 000). This was substantially more than during the previous three years, when 48 to 51 annual cases were reported (incidence 1.0/100 000/year). The incidence among men (9.9/100 000/year) was almost twice as high as that in women (5.0/100 000/year). The median age of cases was 28 years (range 0–74), and the highest rates of disease (44.8/100 000/year) were among persons aged between 20 and 29 years who accounted for 139
(36%) of all cases (Figure 1).
Recent trends in measles in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Gee S , O’Donnell J , Fitzgerald M , Murray H , Jennings P , Scully Mary , McKeown D
Published: October 2017

A total of 234 cases (provisional data) of clinical measles have been notified to the National Disease Surveillance Centre in the Republic of Ireland since late November 2002 (Weeks 48, 2002 to 06, 2003). This represents a substantial increase in the number of notified measles cases when compared to the same period in the previous four years (figure 1).
Recent trends in HIV in central and eastern Europe
Authors: Dougan S
Published: October 2017

A review in last week’s Lancet by Françoise Hamers and Angela Downs of the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV, www.eurohiv.org) described recent trends and differences between the HIV epidemics of central and eastern Europe (1). Published and unpublished data from the 27 countries of the former communist bloc were presented. This short article summarises their main findings and conclusions.
Human infection associated with outbreak of fowl plague (avian influenza) in the Netherlands – update 27 March
Authors: Meijer A , Du Ry M , Fouchier R , Natrop G , Wilbrink B , Bosman A , Osterhaus A D , van Steenbergen J , Conyn-Van Spaendonck M A E , Koopmans M
Published: October 2017

At the beginning of March 2003 an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (A/H7N7) in several Dutch poultry farms was reported (1). On 11 March 2003, several workers, who had been exposed to A/H7N7 infected poultry, developed conjunctivitis. Some of them tested positive for influenza A/H7N7 (2). One week later, two close contacts of a worker with H7N7 infection developed similar eye symptoms. They had also been infected with the avian influenza virus, although they had had no exposure to infected poultry themselves, which strongly suggests human to human transmission of the virus (3).
The protective effect of alcoholic beverages in a foodborne outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis PT1 in northern Portugal
Authors: Correia A  M , Gonçalves G , Gomes A , Oliveira Beatriz , Gonçalves J , Miranda M , Almeida O
Published: October 2017

On 23 October 2002 the Centro Regional de Saúde Pública do Norte (CRSPN) was informed that several people had been admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis. Preliminary information collected that day showed that the patients, resident in different municipalities, had attended a lunch party in a restaurant on 20 October.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - update on the international outbreak, 8 April 2003
Authors: Barboza P , Quatresous I
Published: October 2017

The situation of the international outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was summarized by the International Department at the Institut de veille sanitaire in France as of 1900 hours Central European time, 8 April 2003, as follows. Data were compiled from the following sources: Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Department of Health (http://www.info.gov.hk/dh/), Singapore Ministry of Health (http://app.moh.gov.sg/), Health Canada (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/), the World Health Organization (WHO, http://www.who.int), Center for Disease Control Taiwan, (http://www.cdc.gov.tw), Robert Koch-Institut, Germany (http://www.rki.de) , and other national public health institutes.
The public health hazard of bat rabies
Authors: van der Poel W , Verstraten E  R A M , Kramps J H , Lina P HC , van der Heide R
Published: October 2017

The European bat lyssaviruses (EBLVs) are not easily transmitted from bats to other species, but such incidents have occurred rarely. In humans EBLV infection can be fatal, and to date, worldwide, four such cases have been reported (1). The most recent was in November 2002, when a 56 year old bat worker in Scotland died of an EBLV2 infection, about six months after he had been bitten by a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) (2). Other cases were a 15 year old girl in Ukraine in 1977, who died five weeks after she had been bitten on her finger by a bat. In Russia in 1985 an 11 year old girl died four weeks after a bat bite on her lower lip. Both girls were infected with EBLV1. In the same year as the Russian case, a 30 year old bat researcher in Finland died of rabies caused by EBLV2 (3). In both this case and the Scottish case, it has not been definitely determined when the fatal bites took place.
New data on clinical features, incubation period, and case fatality rate of SARS in Hong Kong and Canada
Authors: Horby P
Published: October 2017

New findings arising from the outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong and Canada have been reported in two early online publications (1, 2). The authors of the Hong Kong paper used demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data from 1425 SARS cases reported up to 28 April to describe the epidemic in Hong Kong and to estimate key epidemiological parameters. The paper from Canada reviews the clinical features and outcomes of 144 SARS patients admitted to hospital between 7 March and 10 April in Toronto.
European Commission and WHO discuss enhanced cooperation in the control of communicable disease
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The importance of communicable disease control and health security, and in particular the establishment of a European centre for disease prevention and control, were stressed this week in a high level meeting between European Commissioners and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Protocol for the evaluation of clinical data collected by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme
Authors: Paget W J
Published: October 2017

A protocol to evaluate the clinical data collected by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS) is now available at http://www.eiss.org/news.cgi (1). It has been developed to help
New measles epidemic in southern Italy: 1217 cases reported to sentinel surveillance, January-May 2003
Authors: Ciofi Degli Atti M L , Salmaso S , Vellucci L ,   D Caraffa De Stefano
Published: October 2017

In January 2003, data from the Sorveglianza Pediatri
SARS related research: EU DG Research issues specific call
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

On 3 July, DG Research announced that it was making EUR 9 million available
Strain variation in iatrogenic CJD between France and the UK?
Authors: Molesworth A M , Andrews N J
Published: October 2017

Marked variation has been reported from a study
A ‘tailor made’ vaccine trialled as part of public health response to group B meningococcal epidemic in New Zealand
Authors: Holst J , Aaberge I , Oster Philipp , Lennon D ,   D Martin,   J O'Hallahan,   K Nord,   H Nøkleby,   L M Næss,   L M Næss,   P Kristiansen,   A G Skryten,   K Bryn,   A Aase,   R Rappuoli,   E Rosenqvist
Published: October 2017

New Zealand has experienced an epidemic of serogroup B meningococcal infection since 1991
New clinical guideline for prevention of healthcare associated infection in primary and community care
Authors: Wilson J , Cookson B
Published: October 2017

The new clinical guideline for prevention of healthcare associated infection in primary and community care in England and Wales
First effects of meningococcal C vaccination campaign in the Netherlands
Authors: de Greeff S , Ruijs Helma , Timen A , van Deuren M , de Melker H , Spanjaard L , Dankert J ,   M de Vries
Published: October 2017

In response to the increasing incidence of meningococcal C disease in the Netherlands since 2000
Rise in heterosexually transmitted cases of syphilis in south London, England
Authors: Crawley-Boevey E , Simms I
Published: October 2017

Over the past 12 months, south London has seen almost three times as many heterosexual cases of syphilis as were diagnosed in 2001
TropNetEurop: Surveillance of imported dengue infections in Europe
Authors: Wichmann O , Jelinek T
Published: October 2017

Dengue viruses (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) are the most common cause of arboviral disease in the world and are mainly transmitted by bites of the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti.
Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium DT 108 (or DT 170) due to imported contaminated kebab meat in Sweden
Authors: Hjertqvist M , Eitrem R , Wollin R , Plym-Forshell L , Giesecke J
Published: October 2017

On 17 July 2003 local health authorities in the county of Blekinge
Danish childhood vaccination programme modified to include pertussis and polio boosters at 5 years of age
Authors: Andersen P , Stellfeld Michael
Published: October 2017

Pertussis has re-emerged in many western countries in recent years
Commission publishes proposal for establishing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Commission has published a proposal
Commission publishes proposal for establishing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Commission has published the proposal
UN Secretary-General and UNAIDS: increased resources still not sufficient for global fight against HIV
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Two progress reports on the commitment and response to the global HIV epidemic were released earlier this week by the United Nations Secretary-General and UNAIDS
Ireland’s influenza season 2003/2004 begins with outbreak in Dublin
Authors: Fitzgerald M
Published: October 2017

At the end of the second week of September a secondary school in Dublin reported that several students were ill with an influenza-like illness
Health Canada publishes Learning from SARS report and recommends expansion of communicable disease surveillance in Canada
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Health Canada has published the report of the National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health, Learning from SARS: Renewal of public health in Canada
Tuberculosis trends in Norway, 2002
Authors: Winje B , Heldal E , Pettersen F  O
Published: October 2017

Two hundred and fifty six cases of tuberculosis were reported in Norway in 2002
Investigations in Spain following human West Nile virus infections in France
Authors:   A Tenorio,   F Simón
Published: October 2017

The Institut de Veille Sanitaire in France contacted the Spanish authorities on 7 October 2003
Outbreak of influenza A H3N2 in another Dublin school predates previously reported outbreak in Ireland
Authors:   M Fitzgerald,   C Danis,   M Conlon,   J Connell
Published: October 2017

We recently reported an outbreak of influenza A in Dublin in a secondary school
Outbreak of norovirus infection on a cruise liner in the Mediterranean
Authors: Adak G K , Barker M
Published: October 2017

An outbreak of norovirus infection has been reported from a cruise liner owned by a British cruise operator
Human case of rabies in a child in France who had visited Gabon
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

A human case of rabies was reported by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire on 22 October 2003, in a three year old child who was admitted to hospital with encephalitis
AIDS vaccine fails to prevent HIV infection
Authors:   J Harris
Published: October 2017

VaxGen Incorporated of California recently released preliminary results of a trial of a vaccine to combat HIV/AIDS, VAXGEN B/E
Meningococcal disease: the situation in Moscow, November 2003
Authors:   N N Filatov,   I N Lytkina,   G G Tchistyakova,
Published: October 2017

Following an initial report based on secondary sources, this report summarises the current situation regarding meningococcal infection in Moscow.
Climate change, temperature and foodborne disease
Authors: Kovats S
Published: October 2017

Climate change is now a fact of life in Europe. The most recent intergovernmental scientific assessment reported that ‘there is new and stronger evidence that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities’
Cluster of cases of tetanus in injecting drug users in England: update
Authors: White J , Crowcroft N , Hahné S , Hope V , De Souza-Thomas L
Published: October 2017

Eight cases of clinical tetanus, including one death, have now been reported in injecting drug users (IDUs) in England since July 2003, six of which occurred since October
Influenza activity on the increase in a number of countries in Europe, in particular Belgium, France and Norway
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Clinical and virological data collected by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS)
Ministers decide the ECDC shall be in Sweden and the EFSA in Italy
Authors: Von Holstein I
Published: October 2017

The European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
Possible case of transfusion-associated variant CJD in the United Kingdom
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The first case of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) thought to have been infected via a blood transfusion may have been seen in the United Kingdom
Initial European Commission response to possible vCJD transmission by blood
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

Following the information made available yesterday by the UK Secretary of State for Health about the possibility of transmission of variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease
Case of SARS reported in a laboratory research worker in Taiwan
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The Centre for Disease Control Taiwan at the Taiwan (Republic of China) Department of Health has reported that a 44 year old male laboratory research worker has been infected
Study shows low rate of transmission of MRSA in Dutch nursing homes
Authors: de Neeling A J , Wannet W J B
Published: October 2017

A systematic study was undertaken from 2000 to 2002 to determine the occurrence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes in four regions of the Netherlands
Varicella vaccination recommended for healthcare workers in the United Kingdom
Authors: Nardone A
Published: October 2017

The Chief Medical Officer for England has recently published a new varicella vaccination policy for healthcare workers (HCW) in the United Kingdom
The Strategy for the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland (SARI)
Authors: Cunney R
Published: October 2017

The problem of antimicrobial resistance in Ireland was highlighted by the results of a 1999 study of the epidemiology of MRSA
Outbreak of legionnaires’ disease cases in northern France, November 2003 – January 2004: update, 14 January
Authors: InVS Collective
Published: October 2017

Seventy one cases of legionnaires’ disease have been reported to the local health authorities in Pas-de-Calais (northern France) since 28 November 2003
Botulism infection after eating fish in Norway and Germany: two outbreak reports
Authors: Eriksen T , Brantsaeter A  B , Kiehl W , Steffens I
Published: October 2017

Helgeland Hospital admitted four patients for botulism infection after they had eaten homemade ‘rakfisk’ in late 2003
Avian influenza: update on European response
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The Ministry of Health in Vietnam and the World Health Organization (WHO) have confirmed three new cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A H5N1 in humans.
vCJD incidence in the UK shows evidence of having peaked or reached a plateau
Authors: Andrews N J
Published: October 2017

A total of 18 deaths from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) were reported in 2003 in the United Kingdom.
National case-control study of Salmonella Enteritidis Phage Type 14b infection in England and Wales implicates eggs used in the catering trade
Authors: O'Brien S , Gillespie I A , Charlett A , Adak G K , Threlfall E J , Ward L
Published: October 2017

Following an increase in detection of Salmonella Enteritidis Phage Type 14b in 2003 in England and Wales, analysis of the main exposure variables in an initial case-control study suggested that food consumed outside the home, and from specific types of catering establishments in particular, was the most likely source of infection.
Study shows high level of avian to human transmission of influenza A (H7N7) during outbreak in the Netherlands 2003
Authors: Goddard N L
Published: October 2017

A report on the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (H7N7) outbreak that occurred in the Netherlands in 2003 has been published.
ECDC: Sweden announces location as Stockholm, and European Parliament passes report amending Commission’s proposal
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The Swedish Socialdepartmentet announced last week
Surveillance of cryptosporidiosis in Spain from 1995 to 2003
Authors: Soler P
Published: October 2017

There are two sources of information for the surveillance of Cryptosporidium in Spain
Monitoring transmission of drug resistant HIV to develop a strategy to control spread of resistance: the SPREAD network
Authors:   D van de Vijver,   A Wensing,   R Schuurman,   C Boucher
Published: October 2017

The use of antiretroviral drug combination therapy has had a dramatically beneficial impact on morbidity and mortality of HIV infected individuals
Heatwave of August 2003 in Europe: provisional estimates of the impact on mortality
Authors: Kovats S ,   T Wolf,   B Menne
Published: October 2017

This report may be of interest to those involved in the rapid response to communicable disease threats since much of the capacity and resources for rapid response to public health emergencies in Europe and elsewhere are to be found within the field of communicable disease
Using the internet to educate the public about antimicrobial resistance: a project from the UK's National electronic Library of Infection
Authors: Madle G , Kostkova P , Mani-Saada J , Weinberg J
Published: October 2017

Educating and informing the public is an essential component of any strategy for reducing the further development and spread of antimicrobial resistance
European Commission adopts working paper on Community influenza pandemic preparedness and response planning
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

The European Commission has adopted a working paper on Community influenza pandemic preparedness and response planning, addressing key issues of both national and European Union (EU) relevance
e-alert: A suspected case of SARS reported in Beijing
Authors:   Eurosurveillance editorial team
Published: October 2017

A 20 year old nurse, currently in intensive care in Beijing, is a suspected case of SARS, according to a WHO press statement released on Thursday 22 April
New multiresistant strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis detected in Taiwan
Authors: Threlfall J , Ward L , Fisher I. S.T.
Published: October 2017

A new strain of Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) has been isolated that is resistant to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, the two principal drugs for the treatment of salmonella septicaemia
Nipah virus outbreak(s) in the Republic of Bangladesh, January-April 2004
Authors: WHO Collective
Published: October 2017

On 17 January 2004, a 9 year old child from Kazipara village was brought to the Goalanda Health Complex, Rajbari district, Bangladesh for emergency treatment. The patient had a three day history of fever and worsening neurological signs: he died within 15 minutes of admission.
Communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control in Cyprus
Authors: Poyiadji-Kalakouta Olga
Published: October 2017

The Medical and Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus have recently developed a new Network for the Surveillance and Control of Communicable Diseases
Influenza pandemic scenario analysis report: could a pandemic be contained using antiviral agents?
Authors: Cooper B
Published: October 2017

If a new pandemic strain of influenza emerges in the near future, there will almost certainly be, at best, only a limited supply of vaccine and initial control efforts will have to depend on other measures.
Communicable disease surveillance, prevention and control in Poland
Authors: Sadkowska-Todys M
Published: October 2017

In 1918, the Polish government established the Central Epidemiological Institute in Warsaw, which was renamed the National Institute of Hygienein 1923. At that time, the epidemiological situation in Poland was critical