This document provides an overview of public health guidance aimed to ensure that the needs of refugees in relation to viral hepatitis are appropriately met, for all stages along the continuum of care from prevention through to treatment.
Following the initial report of an increase of severe acute hepatitis cases of unknown aetiology among previously healthy children by the United Kingdom on 5 April 2022, and as of 20 April 2022, 111 cases, aged 10 and under have been identified in that country.
Following the reports of cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin by the UK Health Security Agency, additional cases in children have been reported in Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain.
ECDC has been informed of an increase in acute hepatitis cases in children during the past few weeks in the United Kingdom (UK) and is sharing this information internationally to increase awareness among clinicians taking care of children, to determine whether there are any similar cases in other countries.
European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD) is a European health initiative coordinated by ECDC. It provides a platform and support for national campaigns on the prudent use of antibiotics in the EU/EEA and is marked each year across Europe on 18 November. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EAAD will this year consist of a entirely digital campaign.
On 26 July ECDC published the Rapid Risk Assessment COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities in the EU/EEA in the context of current vaccine coverage, following several outbreaks that occurred in these settings during the past six months in several EU/EEA countries, resulting in some cases of severe disease and deaths.
Each year on 5 May, the “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” campaign takes place as part of a major global effort led by the World Health Organization to mobilise people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in all healthcare settings, thus protecting healthcare workers and patients from healthcare-associated infections caused by various pathogens.
The number of reported human cases of illness caused by Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria across Europe appears to have stabilised over the past five years, according to the latest report on zoonotic diseases by EFSA and ECDC.
ECDC coordinates the enhanced surveillance for hepatitis A, B and C to help countries define epidemiological trends or transmission patterns among newly diagnosed cases.
World Hepatitis Day on 28 July provides an opportunity each year to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis.