This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 1-7 December 2019 and includes updates on Ebola virus disease, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, West Nile virus, monkeypox, influenza and diphtheria.
In 2019, the hajj will take place between 9 and 14 August. The risk for EU/EEA citizens to become infected with communicable diseases during the 2019 hajj is considered low, thanks to the vaccination requirements for travelling to Makkah (Mecca) and the Saudi Arabian preparedness plans that address the management of health hazards during and after hajj.
For 2017, 39 cases of diphtheria due to toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae or C. ulcerans were reported to ECDC. The highest proportion of C. ulcerans cases was among adults 45 years of age and above, whereas C. diphtheriae cases were more common in younger age groups. Among C. diphtheriae cases, 50% were reported as imported. High vaccination coverage is crucial to prevent diphtheria.
In 2017, 42 242 cases of pertussis were reported in EU/EEA countries. Five countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK) accounted for 76% of all notified cases.
This report presents the results of the second European Pertussis Laboratory Surveillance Network (EUPert-LabNet) EQA scheme for Bordetella pertussis PCR funded by ECDC on behalf of EUPert-LabNet. The EQA study was conducted between February and March 2018.