The study estimates the risk of severe outcomes among symptomatic children aged 0-17 years in the European Union, with hospitalization rates highest among youngest age groups. The authors also note that most children with symptomatic COVID-19 have a low risk of death or hospitalization.
A systematic literature review found HIV seroprevalence in five key populations: men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), prisoners, sex workers, and transgender people. The review identified significant gaps in data, particularly for transgender individuals.
A recent study estimates that COVID-19 vaccination prevented almost 470,000 deaths among people aged 60 years and older across Europe. The authors found that early implementation of vaccination was associated with the largest reduction in expected deaths.
The European Union and European Economic Area saw a significant decline in antibiotic consumption in 2020, with a 18% decrease compared to 2019. This decline was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced primary care consultations for mild infections.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to reduced influenza reporting, but vaccination and strengthened surveillance are critical for a possible resurgence. Research highlights the importance of flu vaccination and early testing for non-influenza respiratory viruses.
High-quality vaccination programs protect people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, but many adults remain under- or unvaccinated. The article highlights the importance of vaccines in preventing life-threatening diseases and discusses challenges in ensuring equitable access to vaccines.
The TB burden in Europe is decreasing, with a 19% overall decline from 2015-2019. However, drug resistance remains a major concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic may stall or cause setbacks in the fight against TB. Treatment outcomes are suboptimal, with only 77% of patients successfully completing treatment in 2019.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released four COVID-19 vaccination strategies for EU/EEA countries, developed using mathematical modeling to inform prioritization. The strategies prioritize groups at high risk of severe disease and death, highlighting the importance of vaccination of healthcare workers.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are urging increased HIV testing in Europe to combat late diagnoses. More than 136,000 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2019, with 53% of those diagnosed at a late stage of the infection.
A significant number of people living with hepatitis B and C infections across Europe remain undiagnosed, hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal for health. Effective testing strategies and linkage to care can help prevent transmission and improve health outcomes.
A retrospective cohort study in Sweden found ongoing transmission of hepatitis C before anti-HCV screening was implemented in 1992. The study identified undiagnosed hepatitis C patients living in Sweden who received transfusions pre-1992, emphasizing the need for testing and treatment.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has updated its risk assessment for Europe due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The agency warns that further global spread is likely, with a moderate likelihood of imported cases being detected in EU/EEA countries. Adherence to infection prevention and control pra...
In 2018, Salmonella was responsible for nearly one-third of foodborne outbreaks in the European Union, affecting 48,365 people. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority report that these outbreaks were mainly linked to eggs.
Women account for one-third of new HIV diagnoses in the Region, with 54% of cases among them being diagnosed late. Early diagnosis is crucial to start treatment and reduce transmission risk, but current systems are failing women and older adults, according to health experts.
A study found that around half a million men who have sex with men in the EU need HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) but face barriers to accessing it. The estimated 'PrEP gap' ranged from 4.3% in Portugal to 44.8% in Russia, highlighting the need for improved accessibility of PrEP.
Viral hepatitis affects around 9 million Europeans, with over 50,000 newly diagnosed cases annually. Targeted testing is essential to reach those at risk and reduce undiagnosed infections.
A study by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reveals a consistent rise in syphilis cases across Europe, mostly affecting men who have sex with men. The ECDC analysis highlights the need for public health control measures, including case finding, management, and educational activities to combat this trend.
Since 2008, chronic hepatitis B infections have increased steadily in Europe, with 58% of newly reported cases classified as chronic in 2017. Successful national vaccination programmes have contributed to a decline in acute cases, but incomplete data and varying surveillance systems hinder detailed epidemiological analysis.
The number of gonorrhoea cases in the EU/EEA has risen by 17% in 2017, with over 240 cases per day, largely due to antibiotic resistance. The majority of cases are reported among men who have sex with men, and women are increasingly affected as well.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports a 10% decrease in newly diagnosed hepatitis C cases between 2016 and 2017, with over 31,000 cases reported in 2017. However, diagnoses remain high due to under-reporting and variation in national testing practices.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports that 275,000 new TB diagnoses were made in 2017, with an estimated 77,000 cases being difficult to treat. New WHO recommendations aim to improve treatment for drug-resistant TB with safer and more effective drugs.
Resistance to azithromycin and ceftriaxone remains a significant threat, with only limited alternatives left for successful treatment. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control monitors the effectiveness of recommended antibiotics through its surveillance programme.
The European Union's antimicrobial resistance report reveals that antimicrobials used to treat diseases transmitted between animals and humans are becoming less effective. Antimicrobial resistance has increased in Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria, making it difficult to treat severe cases.
Despite substantial progress, Europe still faces challenges in diagnosing HIV-positive individuals and providing antiretroviral therapy. The report highlights a significant gap between diagnosed cases and those receiving treatment, particularly in Eastern European countries.
The European Region saw a significant increase in new HIV diagnoses, with the eastern part recording over 130 000 cases. However, there is encouraging progress in the EU and EU/EEA countries, particularly among men who have sex with men, where diagnoses have declined by 20% since 2015.
The ECDC Guidance promotes integrated testing strategies to reduce undiagnosed cases of hepatitis B, C, and HIV. The guidance outlines key principles, including accessibility, confidentiality, and linkage to care, to improve public health outcomes by 2030.
Healthcare-associated infections persist in the EU/EEA, with 8.9 million cases annually, due to overuse of antimicrobials and varying infection prevention practices. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) calls for continued action to address antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.
The study estimates that antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause a substantial burden of disease in the EU/EEA, with 75% attributed to healthcare-associated infections. The annual number of deaths due to these infections is comparable to that of influenza, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS combined.
The European Union and European Economic Area experience stable rates of gonorrhea resistance to antibiotics, with azithromycin remaining a concern. The use of dual therapy regimens may contribute to increased susceptibility.
A new EU-wide study found that more than half of severe listeriosis cases belong to clusters, which are often not detected quickly enough by current surveillance systems. The use of whole genome sequencing could lead to faster detection of multi-country outbreaks, saving up to 5 months of investigations.
Active case finding is recommended for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and tuberculosis in prison settings. The approach aims to diagnose infectious diseases early and interrupt transmission. Key findings include a high burden of communicable diseases among prisoners, leading to increased risk of transmission upon release.
A European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control study shows the clear public health benefit of whole genome sequencing in surveillance and control of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The study analyzed over 1,000 isolates from 20 countries, revealing a widespread distribution of drug-resistant strains across Europe.
A new report by ECDC and WHO reveals that over half of HIV diagnoses in Europe occur at a late stage, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased transmission risks. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these outcomes, with improved testing practices and community-based services vital to addressing the issue.
The ECDC survey found a significant increase in Livestock-associated MRSA detections in humans across the EU/EEA since 2007. LA-MRSA poses a zoonotic risk, particularly for those working with livestock, and its spread is of concern due to lack of systematic surveillance.
A recent ECDC study found that the rate of newly reported HIV cases increased by 2% each year among older adults between 2004 and 2015. This translates to around 17% of new diagnoses being among people aged over 50, accounting for 5076 reported cases.
Resistance levels to cefixime and ciprofloxacin have decreased, while azithromycin resistance remains high. The dual therapy of ceftriaxone and azithromycin is still effective, but its use contributes to the rise in cephalosporin susceptibility.
A European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control expert opinion supports the use of neuraminidase inhibitors in treating and preventing influenza. The most vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are particularly eligible for treatment and prophylaxis.
Between 2005 and 2015, the number of confirmed HEV cases increased from 514 to 5,617, a ten-fold rise. Most infections were locally-acquired, with men and people over 50 being most affected.
A global standard method for whole genome sequencing will facilitate real-time data sharing among public health laboratory networks, increasing efficiency in detecting and responding to foodborne illnesses. The adoption of this method is expected to save lives and reduce economic burdens.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released a survey report on immunisation information systems, showing strong potential for e-health to increase vaccination coverage. Digital systems are being piloted across EU/EEA countries, including automated reminders that can identify under-vaccinated populations.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has found no evidence of increased transmissibility or sustainable human-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic A(H7N9) virus. New genetic mutations have been detected, but their impact on poultry and human risk remains unclear.
Despite progress in implementing primary and secondary prevention measures, Europe still has a long way to go to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. The authors highlight the need for improved data collection and monitoring of interventions along the continuum of care to track progress and reduce mortality.
The European Union needs to prioritize prevention programs, improve access to testing, and enhance treatment options for people living with HIV. Currently, two-thirds of EU countries lack sufficient funding for prevention interventions, and one in seven people living with HIV in the region is unaware of their infection.
A recent surge of human A(H7N9) cases in China has raised concerns among EU citizens, particularly those living or visiting affected areas. People traveling to China are advised to avoid direct exposure to poultry and live markets, while those presenting with respiratory symptoms should seek medical attention promptly.
The study establishes the prevalence of bloodstream infections as the most common type of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in children, with a high mortality rate associated with these infections. The findings highlight the need for urgent action to prevent and reduce HAIs in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units.
A new report by ECDC and WHO Europe reveals that approximately 122,000 people in the EU/EEA are infected with HIV but remain undiagnosed. Easy access to testing is crucial for individuals living with HIV to benefit from life-saving treatment.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses have been reported in Europe via wild bird migration, primarily affecting poultry and wild birds. The risk of transmission to the general public is considered very low, but people handling infected birds may be at risk.
Antibiotic resistance increased across Europe in 2015, with EU-wide carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae rising to 8.1%. Prudent use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria. The European Commission will launch a new action plan to tackle antibiotic resistance.
A new study estimates the combined burden of six healthcare-associated infections to be higher than that of diseases like influenza, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis together. The estimated annual burden is approximately 2.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the EU/EEA.
New data shows an estimated 340,000 Europeans developed TB in 2014. While progress has been made in reducing new cases, high rates of multidrug-resistant TB and TB affecting vulnerable groups continue to challenge elimination efforts. Targeted interventions for marginalized populations are crucial to successfully tackling TB