This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 21–27 April 2024 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, West Nile virus, SARS-CoV-2 variant classification and Cholera.
European Immunization Week (EIW) is marked across Europe every year in the final week of April. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of immunisation for the general health and well-being of the European and wider population.
In connection with the European Immunization Week, ECDC releases data indicating an increase in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and pertussis, after decreased levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2023 West Nile virus transmission season, and as of 4 January 2024, 709 locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus infection, including 67 deaths, were reported by nine European Union countries.
As of 4 January 2024, 728 human cases of West Nile virus infection were reported, of which 709 were locally acquired and 19 were travel-associated. In 2023, seven EU countries reported 153 outbreaks among equids and eight EU countries reported 251 outbreaks among birds.
Distribution of human West Nile virus infections in NUTS 3 or GAUL 1 regions of the EU/EEA and neighbouring countries during 2013-2023, as of 4th January.