Rapid risk/outbreaks assessment aim at supporting the countries and the European Commission in their preparedness and response to a public health threat. They provide a timely summary and risk assessment of a public health threat for EU/EEA countries related to a specific event. They also include potential options for response. As outbreaks or public health events develop, ECDC may issue updated risk assessments.
Following the occurrence of several hospital-acquired malaria cases in the European Union (EU), ECDC has assessed the risk related to transmission of the parasite in hospital settings.
On 24 March 2017, the German authorities reported the contamination of a ‘do-it-yourself’ bacterial gene engineering CRISPR kit produced in the US. This publication assesses the risk related to the use of ‘do-it-yourself’ CRISPR-associated gene engineering kit contaminated with pathogenic bacteria.
This document assesses the risk to human health posed by a multi-country foodborne outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome taking place in the European Union (EU).
This rapid risk assessment assesses the specific risk related to importation and spread of vector borne diseases in the context of a large number of migrants to the EU. It does not cover other health needs for these populations.
Locally acquired cases of malaria have been occurring in Greece since 2009, with the highest numbers reported in 2011. In 2012, local malaria transmission was still ongoing, but fewer cases were reported.
The assessment teams reviewed the risks of potential re-establishment of malaria transmission in Greece, and proposed prevention measures in the specific areas concerned and across the country.
The ECDC risk, as assessed on 23 August 2011, remains unchanged. The main risk is to persons residing in, visiting and working in the affected areas of Greece, particularly Evrotas in Lakonia. The risk for further extension of malaria transmission into the EU as a result of this event is considered low at present. EU national blood competent authorities should be considering whether to implement deferral measures for persons returning from these specific affected areas in Greece, taking into consideration measures currently implemented by the Greek blood safety authorities and after a considered risk assessment in collaboration with their national public health authorities.