Eurosurveillance最新文献

We describe cases with monkeypox virus (MPXV) Clade Ib in Burundi from their first detection in July until 20 August 2024. Testing 442 people with vesicular lesions confirmed 170 cases (98 male; 72 female), 82 (48%) being < 15 years old. Differential diagnosis of the first 30 individuals testing MPXV negative revealed chickenpox in 20. Cases occurred in 26 of 49 Burundi health districts, but mostly in Bujumbura Nord (88/170; 67%). Case-derived MPXV genetic sequences from Burundi and South-Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo), clustered together in phylogenetic analysis.

BackgroundWest Nile virus (WNV) has an enzootic cycle between birds and mosquitoes, humans being incidental dead-end hosts. Circulation of WNV is an increasing public health threat in Europe. While detection of WNV is notifiable in humans and animals in the European Union, surveillance based on human case numbers presents some limitations, including reporting delays.AimWe aimed to perform risk mapping of WNV circulation leading to human infections in Europe by integrating two types of surveillance systems: indicator-based and event-based surveillance.MethodsFor indicator-based surveillance, we used data on human case numbers reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and for event-based data, we retrieved information from news articles collected through an automated biosurveillance platform. In addition to these data sources, we also used environmental data to train ecological niche models to map the risk of local WNV circulation leading to human infections.ResultsThe ecological niche models based on both types of surveillance data highlighted new areas potentially at risk of WNV infection in humans, particularly in Spain, Italy, France and Greece.ConclusionAlthough event-based surveillance data do not constitute confirmed occurrence records, integrating both indicator-based and event-based surveillance data proved useful. These results underscore the potential for a more proactive and comprehensive strategy in managing the threat of WNV in Europe by combining indicator- and event-based and environmental data for effective surveillance and public health response.

BackgroundBrown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are synanthropic rodents with worldwide distribution, which are known to harbour many zoonotic pathogens and parasites. No systematic zoonotic surveys targeting multiple pathogens and parasites have previously been conducted in urban rats in Finland.AimIn Helsinki, Finland, we explored the presence and prevalence in brown rats of certain pathogens and parasites (including helminths, viruses and bacteria) across potentially zoonotic taxa.MethodsWe opportunistically received rat carcasses from pest management operators and citizens from 2018 to 2023. We searched for heart- or lungworms, performed rat diaphragm digestion to check for Trichinella and morphologically identified intestinal helminths. We assessed virus exposure by immunofluorescence assay or PCR, and detected bacteria by PCR (Leptospira) or culture (Campylobacter).ResultsAmong the rats investigated for helminths, no heart- or lungworms or Trichinella species were detected and the most common finding was the cestode Hymenolepis nana (in 9.7% of individuals sampled, 28/288). For some of the surveyed virus taxa, several rats were seropositive (orthopoxviruses, 5.2%, 11/211; arenaviruses, 2.8%, 6/211; hantaviruses 5.2%, 11/211) or tested positive by PCR (rat hepatitis E virus, 1.8%, 4/216). Campylobacter jejuni (6.6%, 17/259) and Leptospira interrogans (1.2%, 2/163) bacteria were also present in the rat population examined.ConclusionsPrevalences of potentially zoonotic pathogens and parasites in brown rats in Helsinki appeared low. This may explain low or non-existent diagnosis levels of rat-borne pathogen and parasite infections reported in people there. Nevertheless, further assessment of under-diagnosis, which cannot be excluded, would enhance understanding the risks of zoonoses.

BackgroundThe first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was largely mitigated by limiting contacts in the general population. In early 2022, most contact-reducing measures were lifted.AimTo assess whether the population has reverted to pre-pandemic contact behaviour and how this would affect transmission potential of a newly emerging pathogen.MethodsWe compared two studies on contact behaviour in the Netherlands: the PIENTER Corona study, conducted during and after the pandemic (held every 2-6 months from April 2020) and the PIENTER3 study (2016-17, as pre-pandemic baseline). In both, participants (ages 1-85 years) reported number and age group of all face-to-face persons contacted on the previous day in a survey. Transmission potential was examined using the next-generation matrix approach.ResultsWe found an average of 15.4 (95% CI: 14.3-16.4) community contacts per person per day after the pandemic in May 2023, 13% lower than baseline (17.8; 95% CI: 17.0-18.5). Among all ages, children (5-9 years) had the highest number of contacts, both pre- and post-pandemic. Mainly adults aged 20-59 years had not reverted to pre-pandemic behaviours, possibly because they more often work from home. Although the number of contacts is lower compared to the pre-pandemic period, the effect on transmission potential of a newly emerging respiratory pathogen is limited if all age groups were equally susceptible.ConclusionContinuous monitoring of contacts can signal changes in contact patterns and can define a 'new normal' baseline. Both aspects are needed to prepare for a future pandemic.

Mayaro virus is endemic to the tropical Americas, where the incidence is currently increasing. Like other viruses of the Semliki Forest virus serocomplex, such as Alphavirus chikungunya, symptomatic infections are typically characterised by an acute febrile disease followed by long-lasting arthralgia. Cases in travellers are rarely reported but may be underdiagnosed. We report on four people who diagnosed with Mayaro fever after working in remote areas of Suriname as members of a film team.

BackgroundIn 2023, a European alert was issued regarding an increase in severe enterovirus (EV) neonatal infections associated with echovirus 11 (E11) new lineage 1.AimTo analyse E11-positive cases between 2019 and 2023 to investigate whether the new lineage 1 circulated in Spain causing severe neonatal infections.MethodsEV-positive samples from hospitalised cases are sent for typing to the National Reference Enterovirus Laboratory. Available samples from 2022-23 were subjected to metagenomic next-generation sequencing.ResultsOf 1,288 samples genotyped, 103 were E11-positive (98 patients: 6 adults, 33 neonates, 89 children under 6 years; male to female ratio 1.9). E11 detection rate was similar before and after detection of the new lineage 1 in Spain in June 2022 (9.7% in 2019 vs 10.6% in 2023). The proportion of E11-infected ICU-admitted neonates in 2019-2022 (2/7) vs 2022-2023 (5/12) did not significantly differ (p = 0.65). In severe neonatal infections, 4/7 E11 strains were not linked to the new lineage 1. The three novel E11 recombinant genomes were associated with severe (n = 2) and non-severe (n = 1) cases from 2022-2023 and clustered outside the new lineage 1. Coinfecting pathogenic viruses were present in four of 10 E11-positive samples.ConclusionThe emergence of the new lineage 1 is not linked with an increase in incidence or severity of neonatal E11 infections in Spain. The detection of two novel E11 recombinants associated with severe disease warrants enhancing genomic and clinical surveillance.

BackgroundOutbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on poultry farms and in wild birds worldwide persists despite intensified control measures. It causes unprecedented mortality in bird populations and is increasingly affecting mammalian species. Better understanding of HPAI introduction pathways into farms are needed for targeted disease prevention and control. The relevance of airborne transmission has been suggested but research involving air sampling is limited and unequivocal evidence on transmission routes is lacking.AimWe aimed to investigate whether HPAI virus from wild birds can enter poultry houses through air inlets by characterising host materials through eukaryote DNA sequencing.MethodsWe collected particulate matter samples in and around three HPAI-affected poultry farms which were cleared and decontaminated before sampling. Indoor measurements (n = 61) were taken directly in the airflow entering through air inlets, while outdoor air samples (n = 60) were collected around the poultry house. Positive controls were obtained from a bird rehabilitation shelter. We performed metabarcoding on environmental DNA by deep sequencing 18S rRNA gene amplicons.ResultsWe detected waterbird DNA in air inside all three, and outside of two, poultry farms. Sequences annotated at species level included swans and tufted ducks. Waterbird DNA was present in all indoor and outdoor air samples from the bird shelter.ConclusionAirborne matter derived from contaminated wild birds can potentially introduce HPAI virus to poultry houses through air inlets. The eDNA metabarcoding could assess breaches in biosecurity for HPAI virus and other pathogens potentially transmitted through air via detection of their hosts.

BackgroundSweden reached the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target in 2015. It is important to reassess the HIV epidemiological situation due to ever-changing migration patterns, the roll-out of PrEP and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.AimWe aimed to assess the progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets in Sweden by estimating the proportion of undiagnosed people with HIV (PWHIV) and HIV incidence trends.MethodsWe used routine laboratory data to inform a biomarker model of time since infection. When available, we used previous negative test dates, arrival dates for PWHIV from abroad and transmission modes to inform our incidence model. We also used data collected from the Swedish InfCareHIV register on antiretroviral therapy (ART).ResultsThe yearly incidence of HIV in Sweden decreased after 2014. In part, this was because the fraction of undiagnosed PWHIV had decreased almost twofold since 2006. After 2015, three of four PWHIV in Sweden were diagnosed within 1.9 and 3.2 years after infection among men who have sex with men and in heterosexual groups, respectively. While 80% of new PWHIV in Sweden acquired HIV before immigration, they make up 50% of the current PWHIV in Sweden. By 2022, 96% of all PWHIV in Sweden had been diagnosed, and 99% of them were on ART, with 98% virally suppressed.ConclusionsBy 2022, about half of all PWHIV in Sweden acquired HIV abroad. Using our new biomarker model, we assess that Sweden has reached the UNAIDS goal at 96-99-98.

BackgroundLate outbreak identification is a common risk factor mentioned in case reports of large respiratory infection outbreaks in long-term care (LTC) homes.AimTo systematically measure the association between late SARS-CoV-2 outbreak identification and secondary SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality in residents of LTC homes.MethodsWe studied SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks across LTC homes in Ontario, Canada from March to November 2020, before the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Our exposure (late outbreak identification) was based on cumulative infection pressure (the number of infectious resident-days) on the outbreak identification date (early: ≤ 2 infectious resident-days, late: ≥ 3 infectious resident-days), where the infectious window was -2 to +8 days around onset. Our outcome consisted of 30-day incidence of secondary infection and mortality, based on the proportion of at-risk residents with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with onset within 30 days of the outbreak identification date.ResultsWe identified 632 SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks across 623 LTC homes. Of these, 36.4% (230/632) outbreaks were identified late. Outbreaks identified late had more secondary infections (10.3%; 4,437/42,953) and higher mortality (3.2%; 1,374/42,953) compared with outbreaks identified early (infections: 3.3%; 2,015/61,714; p < 0.001, mortality: 0.9%; 579/61,714; p < 0.001). After adjustment for 12 LTC home covariates, the incidence of secondary infections in outbreaks identified late was 2.90-fold larger than that of outbreaks identified early (OR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.04-4.13).ConclusionsThe timeliness of outbreak identification could be used to predict the trajectory of an outbreak, plan outbreak measures and retrospectively provide feedback for quality improvement, with the objective of reducing the impacts of respiratory infections in LTC home residents.

In response to the increasing number of mpox cases caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade I in the African continent and the first reported travel-related clade Ib case of mpox in EU/EEA, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control surveyed national capability for detection and characterisation of MPXV in the EU/EEA. The results showed high level of capability for case confirmation by PCR, alongside molecular typing methods for identification of MPXV clades and/or clade I subclades within the EU/EEA.