Communicable disease threats report, 30 March - 5 April 2014, week
The ECDC communicable disease threats report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control. Summarising information gathered by ECDC through its epidemic intelligence activities regarding communicable disease threats of concern to the European Union, it also provides updates on the global situation and changes in the epidemiology of communicable diseases
with potential to affect Europe, including diseases that are the focus of eradication efforts.
Executive Summary
The ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control. This issue covers the period 30 March – 5 April 2014 and includes updates on:
Ebola outbreak, West Africa
An outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is currently evolving in West Africa, with onset in early February 2014. The majority of cases have been reported in Guinea but Liberia has, in the past week, officially announced an outbreak of EVD also.
As of 2 April 2014, the Ministry of Health in Guinea reported 134 clinically compatible cases of EVD, of which 35 are laboratory confirmed. This is an increase by 31 cases and 18 deaths since the last ECDC report on 28 March 2014. Liberia has reported 14 confirmed or suspected cases and six deaths.
ECDC published a Rapid Risk Assessment on 24 March 2014.
Seasonal influenza
The influenza season continues its decline to an inter-seasonal pattern. In week 13 of 2014, of the 27 countries providing clinical data, Greece reported medium intensity activity and all the other countries reported low intensity activity.
Download
