Communicable diseases

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• Tajikistan launches National Immunization Days against diphtheria
  08-05-2012
  As part of a national campaign to combat diphtheria, 23 to 28 April were designated as National Immunization Days in Tajikistan. In this first phase of the campaign, 730 000 children aged 3 to 6 were targeted to receive diphtheria vaccinations. 
• Eliminating malaria from Europe by 2015: realistic and attainable
  25-04-2012
  Intensive anti-malaria interventions have cut the number of reported autochthonous malaria cases in the WHO European Region from 90 712 in 1995 to 102 in 2011. World Malaria Day is 25 April.
• WHO releases “Guidance on couples HIV testing and counselling including antiretroviral therapy for treatment and prevention in serodiscordant couples”
  25-04-2012
  WHO has developed this guidance to encourage the provision of couples HIV testing and counselling (CHTC) to support increased testing and earlier access to treatment and prevention. The guideline also considers the benefits of offering antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV prevention for serodiscordant couples, irrespective of his/her own immune status (CD4 count).
• Progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 in the WHO European Region: 2011 Update
  20-04-2012
  As called for by Regional Committee for Europe Resolution EUR/RC57/R2, this report constitutes the biennial update on the progress made towards the health-related Millennium Development Goals in the European Region. It draws on the most recent data sources available, as of July 2011, for Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 on, respectively, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases (including tuberculosis).
• Tajikistan hosts workshop on vaccine safety and waste management
  13-12-2011
  Upon the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan's request for assistance, WHO/Europe convened a two day workshop in December 2011, for the specialists from the health departments of the ministry on vaccine safety and waste management.
• European countries must take action now to prevent continued measles outbreaks in 2012
  02-12-2011
  A new report today describing the large scale of measles outbreaks in European countries underscores their serious public health and economic implications. The World Health Organization European Region’s report emphasizes the urgent actions European countries should take to prevent measles outbreaks in 2012 and beyond, particularly with the approaching high season for measles transmission.
• HIV cases continue to rise in Europe: WHO European Region launches new action plan to bring the epidemic under control
  30-11-2011
  The HIV epidemic is still not under control, according to a new surveillance report issued today. Over 118 000 cases of HIV were diagnosed in Europe in 2010, according to new data from 51 of the 53 of Member States in the WHO European Region, which were released today by WHO/Europe and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Over three quarters of newly reported infections were from the eastern part of the Region.
• Linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV in countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Examining the future of integrated services
  09-11-2011
  Representatives from 13 countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia met in Antalya, Turkey, on 2–4 November to examine how to develop better linkages between Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other services.
• Measles virus continues to spread in the European Region: WHO calls on countries to step up response
  25-10-2011
  Member States in the WHO European Region continue to struggle with the uninterrupted spread of measles, reporting more than 26 000 confirmed cases in the first seven months of 2011. This represents a 276% increase from a comparable period in 2007.
• WHO European Region aims to wipe out malaria in 4 years: Roll Back Malaria partners target strongholds of the disease
  21-10-2011
  Eliminating malaria by the end of 2015 in at least 8–10 additional countries globally, and thus from the entire WHO European Region, is one of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership’s objectives. A new WHO report, “Eliminating malaria: learning from the past, looking ahead”, clearly indicates that the 53 countries that make up the European Region are very close to reaching the goal.
• European Member States show new resolve in tackling multidrug-resistant TB
  14-09-2011
  This week, at the sixty-first session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the 53 countries that make up the governing body for the WHO European Region are set to endorse an ambitious and rigorous action plan to combat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB).
• World Hepatitis Day: “Hepatitis affects everyone, everywhere. Know it. Confront it.”
  28-07-2011
  28 July 2011 is the first World Hepatitis Day. In the European Region, the epidemic remains hidden and the public health response inadequate.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 30
  22-07-2011
  The number of new cases of Escherichia coli O104:H4 infection in Germany and France is much diminished. The figures reflect some delayed reporting, and the evidence indicates that the outbreak, which took 50 lives in Germany alone, is nearly over.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 29
  07-07-2011
  On 5 July, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued the report from the Task Force established to coordinate investigations to track down the possible source of the French and German outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4. Details of the task force report and its conclusions can be found on the EFSA website.
• Outbreaks of E. coli O104:H4 infection: update 26
  29-06-2011
  On 28 June 2011, the Institut de veille sanitaire published new figures for the verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) outbreak in Bordeaux, France. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.
• Outbreaks: update 25: new VTEC cases in France and Sweden
  28-06-2011
  On 24 June 2011, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases. On 28 June, Sweden reported a confirmed case of E. coli O104:H4 in southern Sweden in an adult male.
• EHEC outbreaks: update 24: France reports 8 cases in new outbreak
  27-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in Germany has declined significantly. On 24 June, France reported an outbreak of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC)/HUS with 8 cases in adults (6 women and 2 men). E. coli O104:H4 has been confirmed in 3 cases.
• EHEC outbreak: update 22
  23-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 21
  22-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 20
  21-06-2011
  Since week 23/2011, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 19
  20-06-2011
  Over the last week, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• EHEC outbreak: update 18
  17-06-2011
  Over the last week, the number of reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)/enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) has declined significantly.
• In review: European Immunization Week 2011
  16-06-2011
  Millions of children were immunized, and campaigns, training, media outreach and advocacy activities, using traditional and new media, took place in 52 countries during European Immunization Week, 23–30 April 2011.
• EHEC outbreak: update 16
  15-06-2011
  On 10 June, German authorities stated that mounting epidemiological and food-chain evidence indicated that bean and seed sprouts (including fenugreek, mung beans, lentils, adzuki beans and alfalfa) are the vehicle of the outbreak in Germany.
• EHEC outbreak: update 11
  08-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• EHEC outbreak: update 10
  07-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• Ukraine reports 14 cholera cases
  06-06-2011
  Ukraine has reported to WHO 14 laboratory confirmed cases of cholera between 30 May and 6 June 2011 from Mariupol on the Sea of Azov in Donetsk oblast. A local laboratory in Donetsk has confirmed Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa as the causative agent in all cases.
• EHEC outbreak: update 9
  06-06-2011
  The outbreak remains primarily centred in Germany, and investigations continue into the nature of the unusual Escherichia coli bacteria serotype and its source.
• EHEC outbreak: update 5 (03-06-11)
  03-06-2011
  As of 2 June 2011, 520 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) (11 fatal) and 1213 cases of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) (6 fatal) have been reported by Germany, taking the total in Germany to 1733 cases, including 17 fatal ones. This is an increase in Germany of 50 cases of HUS and 149 cases of EHEC between 31 May and 2 June 2011.
• EHEC outbreak: 12 countries reporting cases to WHO
  03-06-2011
  A total of 502 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and 1122 of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) have now been reported to WHO as of 2 June 2011. Cases have been notified from Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
• EHEC outbreak: Rare strain of E. coli unknown in previous outbreaks
  02-06-2011
  The strain of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O104:H4 isolated from cases in the EHEC infection outbreak in Germany is a rare one, seen in humans before but never in an EHEC outbreak. This has been confirmed by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Escherichia and Klebsiella, the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark.
• EHEC outbreak: increased cases in Germany
  01-06-2011
  Cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) continue to rise in Germany. 10 countries have now reported cases to WHO/Europe.
• EHEC outbreak: 9 European countries report cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and enterohaemorrhagic E. coli infections
  31-05-2011
  Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have reported cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and/or bloody diarrhoea.
• Germany investigates outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome
  27-05-2011
  An outbreak of severe illness is causing concern in Germany, where 3 women have died and 276 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) have been reported since the second week of May. HUS, which can lead to kidney failure, is a complication of an infection by particular Escherichia coli bacteria. While most E. coli bacteria are harmless, a group called enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) can produce toxins, known as Shiga toxins or verotoxins, which damage blood cells and the kidneys.
• Measles outbreaks spread across Europe: European Immunization Week offers chance to promote immunization
  20-04-2011
  Thirty countries in WHO’s European Region have reported a marked increase in measles cases, with 6 500 so far in 2011. Epidemiological investigations and genotyping by laboratories confirm exportation of the virus among several countries in the Region and to other regions of the world.
• Celebration of World Health Day: 7 April 2011
  07-04-2011
  Around the world, WHO is celebrating World Health Day on 7 April 2011. This year’s topic is dedicated to the antibiotic resistance, under the slogan “Combat antibiotic resistance – No action today, no cure tomorrow”.
• A series of micro planning trainings in preparation for Polio National Immunization Days (NIDs) in Tajikistan
  31-03-2011
  As part of a contingency plan and as recommended by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Ministry of Health is planning to conduct National Immunization Days (NID) against Poliomyelitis in order to provide every child aged 0–5 years with extra doses of three valent Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in order to stop further transmission of Polio-virus among the population.
• Meeting with the European Respiratory Society
  21-03-2011
  Professor Francesco Blasi, Vice-President of the European Respiratory Society, met Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, on 18 March 2011 to discuss potential areas of collaboration.
• Cost-effective and environmentally sound control of vector-borne diseases in southern Caucasus and central Asia
  16-03-2011
  A sub-regional project on demonstrating and scaling up sustainable alternatives to DDT to control vector-borne diseases in southern Caucasus and central Asia was launched at an inception meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia 8 to 11 February 2011.
• Web consultation for the emergency action plan on HIV/AIDS, 2011-2015
  04-03-2011
  The HIV/AIDS, STIs and Viral Hepatitis Programme of the WHO Regional Office for Europe is developing an Emergency Action Plan on HIV/AIDS 2012–2015, to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the WHO European Region and lead an effective response to it.
• WHO/Europe releases the Regional HIV testing and counselling policy framework
  22-05-2010
  WHO/Europe has developed a Regional HIV testing and counselling policy framework. It provides recommendations to Member States and outlines ten main principles for scaling up HIV testing and counselling as an essential component of efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the WHO European Region.  
• HIV This Week newsletter
  14-05-2010
  HIV This Week, published by UNAIDS, is a selective scan of new HIV-related information found in scientific journals.