Eurosurveillance最新文献

In June 2025, two autochthonous Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever cases were recorded in Greece; a fatal index case and a healthcare worker secondarily infected. With only one autochthonous case previously reported in Greece, in 2008, this event was unexpected and triggered a One Health response: cases investigation, contact tracing, infection prevention and control guidance, field investigation, preventive measures targeting vectors and possible animal hosts, as well as awareness-raising measures. Although Greece is non-endemic for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, some neighbouring countries are endemic, and this event underscores the need for enhanced surveillance, vigilance and multisectoral collaboration.

BACKGROUNDShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can cause illnesses ranging from self-limiting diarrhoea to severe manifestations such as haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (HUS). In 2023, an increase in notified STEC cases was observed in the German federal state of Lower Saxony and nationwide.AIMWe aimed to investigate possible reasons for the observed increase.METHODSWe analysed data on notified STEC cases at federal and state level. All available STEC isolates from Lower Saxony from 2023 were whole genome sequenced. We sent a survey on detection and identification methods to 25 clinical microbiology laboratories in Lower Saxony.RESULTSIn 2023, a statistically significant increase in notified STEC cases in all ages was seen in Lower Saxony and nationwide when compared with case numbers in 2022 and the median of 2015-2019 (p < 0.01). The highest increase was observed in people aged 60-69 years: 110 cases were notified in Lower Saxony in 2023 (median 2015-2019: 26) and 471 cases nationwide (median 2015-2019: 182). No overall increase was seen in disease severity or in the number of HUS cases. No larger genetic clusters or outbreaks were identified in Lower Saxony. The survey among the 17 responding laboratories in Lower Saxony revealed an increased use of multiplex PCR assays for gastrointestinal pathogens, introduced mainly in 2023.CONCLUSIONThe increase in notified STEC cases was probably associated with the implementation of multiplex PCR assays for the analysis of gastrointestinal specimens. Our findings highlight the need to monitor diagnostic practices when assessing and evaluating surveillance data.

In Australia and New Zealand, late outbreaks of an A(H3N2) variant virus termed subclade K extended the 2025 influenza season. Subclade K viruses were genetically and antigenically distinct from the 2025 vaccine A(H3N2) strain A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus and previously circulating subclade J viruses. Subclade K viruses have since been detected in over 34 countries and appear to have spread globally, except in South America. It is thus likely that they will further expand during the northern hemisphere winter 2025/26 season.

BACKGROUNDCampylobacter is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal disease.AIMWe aimed to investigate trends in the incidence rate of campylobacteriosis in Israel.METHODSWe collected data on laboratory-confirmed cases of campylobacteriosis reported to the Israel Sentinel Laboratory-Based Surveillance Network (ISLBSN) in 2013-2022. Trends in the incidence rates of campylobacteriosis were evaluated using the Joinpoint software to calculate annual percent change (APC) and by time series analysis auto-regressive integrated moving average model.RESULTSBetween 2013 and 2022, 43,334 cases of campylobacteriosis were reported to the ISLBSN. The highest incidence rate of campylobacteriosis was observed in children aged 0-4 years (327.8/100,000) and overall, the incidence rate was higher among Jews and others (98.7/100,000) than among Arabs (85.9/100,000). However, the incidence rate among Arabs aged 0-4 years was higher (546.3/100,000) than among Jews and others (316.9/100,000). The incidence rate decreased significantly from 101.7 per 100,000 in 2013 to 79.4 per 100,000 in 2020 (APC = -2.7%) and then increased to 109.5 per 100,000 in 2022 (APC = 13.9%). We identified consistent peaks in incidence rate in April-May, specifically among Jews and others, with no corresponding increase among Arabs. Passover weeks were associated with a significantly higher risk of campylobacteriosis (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.23; p < 0.0001) compared with non-Passover weeks.CONCLUSIONCampylobacteriosis incidence rate in Israel is high, particularly among young children. Collaboration between veterinary and public health authorities and timely public awareness campaigns, especially before holidays, are essential to reduce zoonotic transmission and prevent future peaks.

BACKGROUNDIn September 2023, monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade Ib emerged in Kamituga, a mining zone in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), primarily through sexual transmission.AIMWe aimed to investigate cases in a MPXV clade Ib outbreak in Uvira, eastern DRC.METHODSFrom June to October 2024, we collected demographic, exposure and clinical data from suspected mpox cases at Uvira hospital and in households. The virus was identified by PCR. We investigated putative transmission patterns, disease severity and risk factors.RESULTSWe identified 973 suspected cases: 415 (42.7%) were tested with PCR and 322 (77.6%) were confirmed. The median age of suspected cases was 9 years (interquartile range (IQR): 3-20 years), with 620 (63.7%) aged < 15 and 344 (35.4%) < 5 years. Severe disease (≥ 100 lesions) was more common in cases aged < 15 years (25.6%; 142/554) than others (16.1%; 49/304; p < 0.001). Twenty-two (12.2%) of 181 cases aged < 5 years had acute malnutrition. Seven cases died; the overall case-fatality ratio was 0.7%, and in infants (aged < 1 year) it was 3.9% (5/127). Of 329 suspected cases tested for HIV, six (1.8%) were positive. Nineteen (14.5%) of 131 females aged 15-49 years were pregnant. Most reported exposures to suspected mpox cases occurred in households (67.9%; 298/439). Sexual (6.0%; 19/318) or healthcare-related occupational exposures (1.4%; 6/417) were less common. Animal exposures were few (5.0%; 39/776) and predominantly domestic (97.4%; 38/39).CONCLUSIONThis child-centred outbreak, driven by non-sexual transmission, underscores the need for paediatric vaccines, nutritional support and household interventions. Adult-focused responses alone may be insufficient to control the outbreak.

The emergence and spread of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineage 4.8 cluster in Europe raises public health concerns. First reported in 2020 across Romania, Italy and the United Kingdom, this cluster progressed from multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR) to XDR, including resistance to pretomanid. Evidence of ongoing local transmission is available for Italy, where 10 cases were reported from 2021 to 2025. Strengthened whole genome sequencing-based surveillance is needed to inform timely, coordinated public health responses.

Screening of 54,837 gonococcal genomes identified 12 new variants lacking one (n = 9) or both (n = 3) of the Xpert CT/NG assay's gonococcal targets. In total, 17 diagnostic-escape variants occurred across five countries and multiple genomic lineages; phylogenomic analysis revealed both ancestral and strain-specific recombination events. Xpert CT/NG diagnostic escape remains rare (0.026%) but illustrates recurrent recombination in gonococci. This emphasises the necessity of continuous external quality assessments, supplementary testing of gonococcal-positive molecular screening samples, and appropriate genomic and epidemiologic surveillance.