Communicable diseases
 
Communicable diseases in the European Region
 
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 10 countries report high pandemic (H1N1) 2009 activity 
 10 November 2009 
 Belarus, Bulgaria, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland only) reported high or very high pandemic activity during the period 27 October to 4 November 2009. Ukraine reported high rates of acute respiratory infection, compared to the same period in five previous years, and a WHO team of experts is investigating the outbreak. 
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 Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Ukraine 
 01 November 2009 
 On 28 October 2009, the Ministry of Health of the Ukraine informed WHO, through its Country Office in Ukraine, about an unusually high level of activity of acute respiratory illness in the western part of the country, associated with an increased number of hospital admissions and fatalities. 
 More [WHO headquarters] 
  
 Experts recommend single dose of pandemic vaccine 
 30 October 2009 
 WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization has recommended a single dose of pandemic vaccine in adults – including pregnant women – and adolescents, beginning at 10 years.  
 More [WHO headquarters] 
  
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Communicable diseases

Communicable diseases are significant threats to human health and international security. Vaccine-preventable, foodborne, zoonotic, health care-related and chronic communicable diseases contribute considerably to health care costs. While not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the WHO European Region, substantial and sustainable resources to maintain preparedness and to enable response to and control of outbreaks.

Emerging and re-emerging epidemic-prone infections are of great public concern to individual countries and the Region as a whole. Preventing and controlling them remain one of the fundamental public health functions of health systems.

WHO/Europe develops norms and standards, guidance and other tools to help countries implement effective disease control programmes. It supports Member States in designing and implementing evidence-based interventions, assessing the burden of disease and risk factors and monitoring progress towards reducing death and disability by integrating these activities with the management and dissemination of technical knowledge through the strengthening of communicable disease surveillance and response systems and public health programmes and services.