This key provides the non-specialist with reference material to help recognise an invasive mosquito species and gives details on the morphology to help with verification.
The aim of this document is to highlight measures that can effectively reduce the risk of importation and local transmission of pathogens transmitted by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The main diseases of concern in this context are Zika, dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
In May 2012 a collection of five strains of Haemophilus spp was sent to 28 participating reference laboratories in the IBD-labnet surveillance network for quality assurance testing. The laboratories were asked to characterise the five strains by performing standard laboratory protocols for the methods usually used by the laboratory for: species identification, biotyping and serotyping by serological methods and/or PCR.
The results of this EQA are published in the this report.
Current childhood vaccination schedules are the result of historical tradition, compliance with provision of health services and national vaccine registration. They have been designed on the basis of different needs related to how the healthcare system – but also the education system – is organised at national level.
Following an outbreak of chikungunya in the area of Ravenna, Italy in Summer 2007 and the increasing presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in Europe, ECDC has prepared a Chikungunya Communications Toolkit. It provides template materials containing background information and practical advice on chikungunya prevention and control and is targeting the general public, travellers and health practitioners.