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Measles - Multistate (EU) - Monitoring European outbreaks (ECDC/CDTR, September 2 2013)
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full PDF document: (LINK). Edited.]
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 35, 25-31 August 2013
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Measles - Multistate (EU) - Monitoring European outbreaks
Opening date: 9 February 2011 Latest update: 30 August 2013
Epidemiological summary
EU Member States
ECDC assessment
The transmission season for measles persists in Europe. Although there have been several outbreaks during this season, the number of aggregated cases is lower than in previous years. So far in 2013, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the UK, Lithuania and the Netherlands have reported outbreaks. The largest outbreaks have been in Wales and the Netherlands. In the EU neighbourhood, a large outbreak affecting Georgia gives cause for concern.
The target year for measles elimination in Europe is 2015. The current outbreaks suggest that endemic measles transmission continues in many EU Member States and the prospect of achieving the 2015 objective is diminishing. During the period July 2012 -June 2013, 13 EU/EEA countries met the elimination target of less than one case of measles per million population.
Actions
ECDC monitors measles transmission and outbreaks in the EU and neighbouring countries in Europe on a monthly basis through enhanced surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities. Elimination of measles requires consistent vaccination coverage above 95% with two doses of measles vaccine in all population groups, strong surveillance and effective outbreak control measures.
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Rubella - Multistate (EU) - Monitoring European outbreaks
Opening date: 7 March 2012 Latest update: 3 July 2013
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ECDC assessment
As rubella is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with few complications, the rationale for eliminating rubella would be weak if it were not for the virus?te ratogenic effect. When a woman is infected with the rubella virus within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the foetus has a 90% risk of being born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which entails a range of serious incurable illnesses. The increase in the number of rubella cases reported in 2012 and 2013 compared with 2011 and the potential for an increase in the number of babies born with CRS in EU countries are both cause for concern.
Actions
ECDC closely monitors rubella transmission in Europe by analysing the cases reported to the European Surveillance System and through its epidemic intelligence activities on a monthly basis. Twenty-four EU and two EEA countries contribute to the enhanced rubella surveillance. The purpose of the enhanced rubella monitoring is to provide regular and timely updates on the rubella situation in Europe in support of effective disease control, increased public awareness and the achievement of the 2015 rubella and congenital rubella elimination target.
An ECDC report is available online: Survey on rubella, rubella in pregnancy and congenital rubella surveillance systems in EU/EEA countries.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE THREATS REPORT
Week 35, 25-31 August 2013
(...)
Measles - Multistate (EU) - Monitoring European outbreaks
Opening date: 9 February 2011 Latest update: 30 August 2013
Epidemiological summary
EU Member States
- The Netherlands ? update
- Since May 2013 and as of 21 August 2013, RIVM reports 1162 cases of measles. During the last week, 127 new measles cases, including six hospitalisations, were reported. Most measles cases are unvaccinated (96%) and are in the age group 4-12 years (59%). There are 10 health care workers among the cases. Of these, nine are unvaccinated and one person is vaccinated with two doses.
- US
- The media report an outbreak in Texas involving 21 people, most of whom are members or visitors of an evangelical megachurch. The outbreak was started by a visitor to the church who had recently travelled to a country where measles is endemic. Those affected by the outbreak range in age from 4 months to 44 years. All of the school-age children with measles were home-schooled, and the majority of those who were infected had not been vaccinated.
ECDC assessment
The transmission season for measles persists in Europe. Although there have been several outbreaks during this season, the number of aggregated cases is lower than in previous years. So far in 2013, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the UK, Lithuania and the Netherlands have reported outbreaks. The largest outbreaks have been in Wales and the Netherlands. In the EU neighbourhood, a large outbreak affecting Georgia gives cause for concern.
The target year for measles elimination in Europe is 2015. The current outbreaks suggest that endemic measles transmission continues in many EU Member States and the prospect of achieving the 2015 objective is diminishing. During the period July 2012 -June 2013, 13 EU/EEA countries met the elimination target of less than one case of measles per million population.
Actions
ECDC monitors measles transmission and outbreaks in the EU and neighbouring countries in Europe on a monthly basis through enhanced surveillance and epidemic intelligence activities. Elimination of measles requires consistent vaccination coverage above 95% with two doses of measles vaccine in all population groups, strong surveillance and effective outbreak control measures.
(?)
Rubella - Multistate (EU) - Monitoring European outbreaks
Opening date: 7 March 2012 Latest update: 3 July 2013
(?)
ECDC assessment
As rubella is typically a mild and self-limiting disease with few complications, the rationale for eliminating rubella would be weak if it were not for the virus?te ratogenic effect. When a woman is infected with the rubella virus within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, the foetus has a 90% risk of being born with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which entails a range of serious incurable illnesses. The increase in the number of rubella cases reported in 2012 and 2013 compared with 2011 and the potential for an increase in the number of babies born with CRS in EU countries are both cause for concern.
Actions
ECDC closely monitors rubella transmission in Europe by analysing the cases reported to the European Surveillance System and through its epidemic intelligence activities on a monthly basis. Twenty-four EU and two EEA countries contribute to the enhanced rubella surveillance. The purpose of the enhanced rubella monitoring is to provide regular and timely updates on the rubella situation in Europe in support of effective disease control, increased public awareness and the achievement of the 2015 rubella and congenital rubella elimination target.
An ECDC report is available online: Survey on rubella, rubella in pregnancy and congenital rubella surveillance systems in EU/EEA countries.
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