Celebrating the third World Field Epidemiology Day: a focus on MediPIET the field epidemiology training programme in Mediterranean and Black Sea countries
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Aleksandar Obradovic Source Type: research
First cases of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 in Denmark, 2023
We describe 10 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant BA.2.86 detected in Denmark, including molecular characteristics and results from wastewater surveillance that indicate that the variant is circulating in the country at a low level. This new variant with many spike gene mutations was classified as a variant under monitoring by the World Health Organization on 17 August 2023. Further global monitoring of COVID-19, BA.2.86 and other SARS-CoV-2 variants is highly warranted. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Morten Rasmussen, Frederik Trier M øller, Vithiagaran Gunalan, Sharmin Baig, Marc Bennedbæk, Lasse Engbo Christiansen, Arieh Sierra Cohen, Kirsten Ellegaard, Anders Fomsgaard, Kristina Træholt Franck, Nicolai Balle Larsen, Tine Graakjær Larsen, Ria La Source Type: research
Sustained increase of paediatric invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infections dominated by M1UK and diverse emm12 isolates, Portugal, September 2022 to May 2023
Since autumn 2022, observed numbers of paediatric invasive group AStreptococcus infections in Portugal (n = 89) were higher than in pre-COVID-19 seasons. Between September 2022 and May 2023, the dominant diagnoses were pneumonia (25/79), mostly with empyema (20/25), and sepsis (22/79). A number of cases required admission to intensive care (27/79) and surgery (35/79), and the case fatality rate was 5.1% (4/79). Genomic sequencing (n = 55) revealed multiple genetic lineages, dominated by the M1UK sublineage (26/55) and more diverseemm12 isolates (12/55). (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Catarina Gouveia, Maria Paula Bajanca-Lavado, Rafael Mamede, Ana Ara újo Carvalho, Fernanda Rodrigues, José Melo-Cristino, Mario Ramirez, Ana Friães, Portuguese Group for the Study of Streptococcal Infections and Portuguese Study Group of Pediatric Inv Source Type: research
Increase in bloodstream infections caused by emm1 group A Streptococcus correlates with emergence of toxigenic M1UK, Belgium, May 2022 to August 2023
We present the epidemiology ofemm1 causing iGAS in Belgium during 2018–August 2023, and describe an emergence of the toxigenic M1UK lineage in Belgium in mid-2022 that was observed as an increase in bloodstream infections caused byemm1S. pyogenes that continued into 2023. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Juan Pablo Rodriguez-Ruiz, Qiang Lin, Christine Lammens, Pierre R Smeesters, Stefanie van Kleef-van Koeveringe, Veerle Matheeussen and Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar Source Type: research
Field Epidemiology and Public Health Microbiology training: capturing the alumni perspectives of the training ’s impact
We present the findings from the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) Alumni Network (EAN) Member Survey conducted in October to December 2021. The EAN consists of field epidemiologists (EPIET) and public health microbiologists (European Public Health Microbiology Training Programme (EUPHEM)) who stay connected after their 2-year fellowship. This active alumni network provides opportunities for career development, mentorship, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices for community members, affiliated professionals and public health organisations in Europe. Overall, 281 of 732 members par...
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Justine Schaeffer, Charlotte Christiane Hammer, Iro Evlampidou, Laura Bubba, Zsofia Igloi, Timoth ée Dub, Annika Wendland, Jane Whelan, Stine Nielsen, Amrish Baidjoe, Alma Tostmann and on behalf of the EPIET Alumni Network Boards 2017–2023 Source Type: research
Field Epidemiology: Fit for the future
In recent years, field epidemiologists have embraced rapidly evolving digital tools, data sources and technologies, and collaborated with an ever-growing field of scientific specialisms. The COVID-19 pandemic put field epidemiology under unprecedented demand and scrutiny. As the COVID-19 emergency recedes, it is timely to reflect on the core values of our profession and the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In November 2022, alumni of the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) and the European Public Health Microbiology (EUPHEM) training programme celebrated 25 years of EPIET, a...
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Susan Hahn é, Charlotte Hammer, Alma Tostmann, Jane Whelan and Christopher Williams Source Type: research
A standardised protocol for relative SARS-CoV-2 variant severity assessment, applied to Omicron BA.1 and Delta in six European countries, October 2021 to February 2022
In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting variant severity analyses in a multinational collaborative framework and adds evidence for the reduced severity of the Omicron BA.1 variant. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - September 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tommy Nyberg, Peter Bager, Ingrid Bech Svalgaard, Dritan Bejko, Nick Bundle, Josie Evans, Tyra Grove Krause, Jim McMenamin, Jo ël Mossong, Heather Mutch, Ajibola Omokanye, André Peralta-Santos, Pedro Pinto-Leite, Jostein Starrfelt, Simon Thelwall, Lampr Source Type: research
Asymptomatic infection with clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) in carnivore pets, Italy, April 2023
In April 2023, an outbreak of clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses carrying the T271A mammalian adaptive mutation in the PB2 protein was detected in a backyard poultry farm in Italy. Five domestic dogs and one cat living on the premises had seroconverted in the absence of clinical signs. Virological and serological monitoring of individuals exposed to the virus proved the absence of human transmission, however, asymptomatic influenza A(H5N1) infections in mammalian pets may have important public health implications. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ana Moreno, Francesco Bonfante, Alessio Bortolami, Irene Cassaniti, Anna Caruana, Vincenzo Cottini, Danilo Cereda, Marco Farioli, Alice Fusaro, Antonio Lavazza, Pierdavide Lecchini, Davide Lelli, Andrea Maroni Ponti, Claudia Nassuato, Ambra Pastori, Franc Source Type: research
Ongoing measles outbreaks in Romania, March 2023 to August 2023
Measles cases have recently been increasing in Romania, with 460 confirmed cases by August 2023. From March 2023, measles cases increased, and outbreaks were recorded in Cluj, Bistrita Nasaud, Sibiu and Mures counties. New D8 virus variants were identified, different from the variants detected in Romania before the COVID-19 pandemic. We here provide epidemiological and molecular data on the current increase in measles cases in the context of the measles elimination process in the World Health Organization European Region. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mihaela Lazar, C ătălina Pascu, Maria Roșca and Aurora Stănescu Source Type: research
Reversed urban –rural gradient in COVID-19 seroprevalence and related factors in a nationally representative survey, Poland, 29 March to 14 May 2021
ConclusionsWe found an inverse urban–rural gradient of SARS-CoV-2 infections during early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland and suggest that vulnerabilities of populations living in rural areas need to be addressed. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Micha ł Czerwiński1, Małgorzata Stępień1, Grzegorz Juszczyk2, Małgorzata Sadkowska-Todys1, Adam Zieliński1, Jakub Rutkowski1 and Magdalena Rosińska1 Source Type: research
Job vacancy at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 31, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eurosurveillance editorial team Source Type: research
Author ’s correction for Euro Surveill. 2023;28(33)
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eurosurveillance editorial team Source Type: research
Authors ’ response: Bias in the vaccine effectiveness estimates of one-dose post-exposure prophylaxis against mpox
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Laura Montero Morales, Jos é Francisco Barbas del Buey, Marcos Alonso García, Jesús Iñigo Martínez, Noelia Cenamor Largo, Susana Jiménez Bueno and Araceli Arce Arnáez Source Type: research
Cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in North Macedonia, July to August 2023
We report on a fatal CCHF case following aHyalomma tick bite in the east of the country in July 2023. Tracing of 67 contacts identified CCHF in one healthcare worker (HCW) providing care for the patient. Monitoring of contacts is concluded (including further 11 HCW contacts), thus far 28 days after the death of the case no additional cases were identified. (Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Dejan Jakimovski, Krsto Grozdanovski, Goran Rangelov, Verica Pavleva, Pavle Banovi ć, Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Katerina Spasovska Source Type: research
Letter to the editor: Bias in the vaccine effectiveness estimates of one-dose post-exposure prophylaxis against mpox
(Source: Eurosurveillance)
Source: Eurosurveillance - August 24, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Catharina E van Ewijk and Susan JM Hahn é Source Type: research
