ECDC promotes the performance of external quality assessment (EQA) schemes, in which laboratories are sent simulated clinical specimens or bacterial isolates for testing by routine or reference laboratory methods. EQA schemes, or laboratory proficiency testing, provide information about the accuracy of different characterisation and typing methods as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and the sensitivity of the methods in place to detect a certain pathogen or novel resistance patterns.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is endemic in the Balkan region and a few sporadic cases are reported on a regular basis. In the WHO European Region, Turkey remains the country that is most affected. The main vector for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, the tick Hyalomma marginatum, has a wide distribution in Europe.
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is an emerging pathogen in Europe. Outbreaks have a case fatality rate between 5% and 40%. There is no validated therapy and no safe vaccine.
This report is the result of a multidisciplinary consultation of experts regarding the future surveillance of invasive meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae diseases, held at ECDC from 17 to 18 March 2009.