Infectious disease surveillance update

Abstract

Section snippets

Hepatitis A in Slovakia

On Dec 19, 2024, the Regional Public Health Office (RUVZ) in Bratislava, Slovakia, reported an increase in the number of hepatitis A cases in all districts of the Bratislava region. According to the RUVZ, 73 cases of hepatitis A were recorded between Jan 1 and Dec 19, 2024, with 24 cases recorded in Dec 1–19 alone. The RUVZ state that vaccination is the most effective method of prevention, and, at this time, they are also emphasising personal hygiene, such as handwashing, as a preventive

Japanese encephalitis in Australia

On Dec 31, 2024, Victoria's Department of Health reported a probable human case of Japanese encephalitis in a northern area of the Australian state. The first-ever case of Japanese encephalitis in Victoria was reported in 2022, and this is the first recorded case since that mosquito season. Through environmental surveillance, the virus has been detected in mosquitoes and feral pigs, which authorities say indicates that it is circulating in Victoria this summer. The Department of Health

Measles in Pakistan

On Dec 31, 2024, it was reported that measles cases were on the rise again in Sindh province in Pakistan following a substantial drop in infections over the previous few months. This comes after the country saw its highest number of cases in decades in 2024. The health department's data show that there were more than 13 000 suspected cases, 6670 confirmed cases, and 132 child deaths related to measles last year. Despite the availability of a free and effective vaccine, 350 suspected and 155

Gastroenteritis in Brazil

On Jan 5, 2025, the State Department of Health of São Paulo reported an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Guarujá and a possible outbreak in Playa Grande. The full extent of the outbreak is unknown, but it has been reported that there were almost 2000 cases in Guarujá in December, 2024. It is suspected that infections resulted from contact with contaminated recreational water or consumption of contaminated food. Local authorities are recommending that people intensify hand hygiene practices and