The purpose of this meeting, held from 25 to 26 February 2010, was to consult with a group of experts from across Europe and representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission to reach a consensus on the current needs and key priorities for developing evidence-based guidance on prevention of HAI at the European level.
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 shows information submitted by European Union Member States on the occurrence of zoonoses and food-borne outbreaks in 2008, analysed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority.