Eurosurveillance最新文献

BACKGROUNDAdvanced outbreak analytics were instrumental in informing governmental decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, systematic evaluations of how modelling practices, data use and science-policy interactions evolved during this and previous emergencies remain scarce.AIMThis study assessed the evolution of modelling practices, data usage, gaps, and engagement between modellers and decision-makers to inform future global epidemic intelligence.METHODSWe conducted a two-stage semiquantitative survey among modellers in a large European epidemic intelligence consortium. Responses were analysed descriptively across early, mid- and late-pandemic phases. We used policy citations in Overton to assess policy impact.RESULTSOur sample included 66 modelling contributions from 11 institutions in four European countries. COVID-19 modelling initially prioritised understanding epidemic dynamics; evaluating non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination impacts later became equally important. Traditional surveillance data (e.g. case line lists) were widely available in near-real time. Conversely, real-time non-traditional data (notably social contact and behavioural surveys) and serological data were frequently reported as lacking. Gaps included poor stratification and incomplete geographical coverage. Frequent bidirectional engagement with decision-makers shaped modelling scope and recommendations. However, fewer than half of the studies shared open-access code.CONCLUSIONSWe highlight the evolving use and needs of modelling during public health crises. Persistent gaps in the availability of non-traditional data underscore the need to rethink sustainable data collection and sharing practices, including from for-profit providers. Future preparedness should focus on strengthening collaborative platforms, research consortia and modelling networks to foster data and code sharing and effective collaboration between academia, decision-makers and data providers.

A German traveller developed leg oedema with adenolymphangitis after a 3-week trip to Sri Lanka. Laboratory tests showed slight eosinophilia, positive filarial serology and motile microfilariae in day and night-time blood samples. PCR revealed 99% homology for Brugia malayi. Lymphatic filariasis has been eliminated in Sri Lanka, but zoonotic B. malayi has re-emerged. Physicians need to be alert and consider filariasis as potential differential diagnosis. Surveillance and vector control efforts should be sustained to prevent resurgence in Sri Lanka.

We report a case of a mild, self-limited rash illness in a child 18 days after measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccination. Initial testing with a PCR-based method failed to detect vaccine virus. Sequencing later identified a novel mutation in the probe-binding site of the vaccine assay that had arisen after vaccination and resulted in the false-negative PCR test results.

Between December 2024 and August 2025, two Italian HIV/STI clinics offered long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) for HIV prevention in 265 individuals, representing the first European real-world implementation. Participants were prioritised based on vulnerabilities compromising oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), such as poor adherence, comorbidities and behavioural barriers. Adherence to injections exceeded 95%, tolerability was favourable and only 1.5% discontinued for drug-related reasons. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of CAB-LA in European clinical services and support its use in specific populations.

In June 2025, 25 botulism cases were identified among recipients of botulinum neurotoxin-containing cosmetic injections in North East England. A case-control study indicated that cases were more likely to have attended two specific practitioners and received an unlicensed product (p < 0.001). Testing of seized product detected a potency (370 units/vial) that was higher than listed on its labelling (200 units/vial). Strengthened regulation of cosmetic procedures is necessary for mitigating public health risks, which are exacerbated by the availability of unlicensed products.

Background: Hepatitis A incidence in Portugal declined from 20.1 to 0.4/100,000 population between 1987 and 2023, changing non-vaccinated population susceptibility. This shift has contributed to more frequent outbreaks, including in 2024-25, highlighting the need to enhance surveillance and integrate serological data.

Aim: We aimed to describe the exposure profile of the Portuguese population to hepatitis A virus (HAV) over time by estimating and comparing the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in two nationwide surveys.

Methods: Data from two cross-sectional seroprevalence studies performed in 2001-02 and 2015-16 in the population aged ≥ 2 years were analysed. Seroprevalence was weighted for population distribution by age, sex and region, and then analysed by birth cohort (1911 -2014) and compared using Poisson regression.

Results: Overall prevalence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies was 67.3% (95% CI: 64.2-70.3) in 2001-02 (n = 1,642) and 56.3% (95% CI: 52.4-60.2) in 2015-16 (n = 2,052), showing an 11-percentage-point decline. Birth cohort analysis revealed consistent seroprevalence within each cohort in both surveys, i.e. seroprevalence for the 1981-90 birth cohort was 16.7% and 18.7%, respectively, suggesting that higher seroprevalence is more closely associated with birth cohort (cohort effect) rather than a specific time point. Additionally, we found that individuals aged ≥ 30 years, born before the 1980s, and those with lower education had higher seroprevalence.

Conclusions: The immunological profile of anti-HAV antibodies in the Portuguese population has shifted over the last decades. High susceptibility and shifting age distribution of Hepatitis A-seropositive individuals highlight the need to revise future vaccination strategies in Portugal.

Two rotavirus strain surveillance networks operate in Europe: the World Health Organization Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network and the European Rotavirus Network (EuroRotaNet). We describe and appraise rotavirus strain surveillance, with a focus on EuroRotaNet, which has conducted rotavirus strain surveillance since 2007 across 21 European countries. Since EuroRotaNet began, epidemiological and genotype data has been collected on over 90,000 rotavirus-positive specimens. We identified distinct differences in strain distribution across seasons, countries, regions and age cohorts. As infant rotavirus vaccination has been rolled out in some European countries, the EuroRotaNet surveillance network is able to monitor changes in strain type circulation and signs of potential emergence of vaccine escape strains, comparing countries with and without vaccination programs. Despite natural fluctuations in strain distribution, the data show an increase in strain diversity after vaccine introduction, although no strain displacement due to vaccination nor emergence of unusual strains of epidemiologically significance were noted. The EuroRotaNet surveillance network takes a pragmatic approach to surveillance and is not overly prescriptive, creating a wide, engaged and sustainable network.

We report the timely detection of a strain of Neisseria gonorrhoeae which was confirmed as a diagnostic escape mutant on the Cepheid Xpert CT/NG assay in England in June 2025. The reason for assay failure was a likely recombination event with Neisseria meningitidis, which removed both assay target sites. Seven historical putative Xpert CT/NG assay diagnostic escape mutants were also identified following subsequent in silico screening of gonococcal genome collections, but currently there is no evidence of widespread circulation.