Agregator de ştiri

Acute respiratory infections in the EU/EEA: epidemiological update and current public health recommendations

ECDC - News - Vin, 12/15/2023 - 14:11
Several viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens are expected to continue co-circulating at variable levels during the coming months, and contribute to increased morbidity and mortality during this period. This is typical of every winter season.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Public health action needed to mitigate the impact of respiratory pathogens for 2023-24 winter season in Europe

ECDC - News - Vin, 12/15/2023 - 14:11
ECDC urges EU/EEA Member States to strengthen vaccination campaigns and prepare for the possible need to increase emergency department and ICU capacity, as well as to consider a number of public health measures to reduce the impact of respiratory pathogens circulating this winter, in latest epidemiological update.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Simulation exercise on preparedness for cross-border spread of healthcare-associated drug-resistant bacteria

ECDC - News - Vin, 12/15/2023 - 14:11
On 12-13 December 2023, ECDC organised a simulation exercise on the serious cross-border threat posed by the spread of antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with WHO.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

ECDC assesses EU/EEA zoonotic avian flu preparedness and issues investigation protocol

ECDC - News - Vin, 12/15/2023 - 00:52
To assess the level of preparedness of EU/EEA Member States to respond to zoonotic avian flu outbreaks, ECDC has carried out two surveys - one assessing the laboratory capacity for molecular diagnosis and characterisation of zoonotic influenza viruses, and the other focussing on measures applied to protect exposed people during outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Prolonged multi country cluster of Listeria monocytogenes ST155 infections

ECDC - Risk assessments - Joi, 12/14/2023 - 00:35
A genomic cluster of Listeria monocytogenes sequence type (ST) 155, serogroup IIa, infections has been identified in the EU/EEA and the UK.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Listeria cluster in 5 EU/EEA countries linked to ready-to-eat fish products

ECDC - News - Joi, 12/14/2023 - 00:35
A genomic cluster of Listeria monocytogenes infections has been identified in the EU/EEA and the United Kingdom, according to a Rapid Outbreak Assessment released today by ECDC and EFSA.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Implications for the EU/EEA of the outbreak of mpox caused by Monkeypox virus clade I in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

ECDC - Risk assessments - Mie, 12/13/2023 - 12:33
An outbreak of mpox is ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with 12 569 cases reported between 1 January and 12 November 2023.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg ST14 infections possibly linked to cherry-like tomatoes

ECDC - Risk assessments - Mie, 12/13/2023 - 12:33
Since August 2022, cases of Salmonella Senftenberg have been identified in 13 countries worldwide. Case interviews suggest cherry-like tomatoes as a possible vehicle of infection.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Despite notable progress, road safety remains urgent global issue

WHO news - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 21:53
The annual number of road traffic deaths fell slightly to 1.19 million per year, according to the latest WHO report. Yet with more than 2 deaths occurring per minute and over 3200 per day, road traffic crashes remain the leading killer of children and youth aged 5–29 years.

Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines

WHO news - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 21:08
Key points:
  • SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and evolve with important genetic and antigenic evolution of the spike protein.
  • Monovalent XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccines across different platforms elicit broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibody responses against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Given the current SARS-CoV-2 evolution and the breadth in immune responses demonstrated by monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines against circulating variants, the TAG-CO-VAC advises retaining the current COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition, i.e. a monovalent XBB.1.5 as the COVID-19 vaccine antigen.

The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to meet regularly to assess the implications of SARS-CoV-2 evolution for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition and advise WHO on whether changes are needed to the antigen composition of future COVID-19 vaccines. In May 2023, the TAG-CO-VAC recommended the use of a monovalent XBB.1 descendent lineage, such as XBB.1.5, as the vaccine antigen. Several manufacturers (using mRNA and protein-based and viral vector vaccine platforms) have updated COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition to monovalent XBB.1.5 formulations which have been approved for use by regulatory authorities.

The TAG-CO-VAC reconvened on 4-5 December 2023 to review the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the performance of currently approved vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. The twice-yearly evidence review by the TAG-CO-VAC is based on the need for continued monitoring of the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the kinetics of vaccine-derived immunity.

Evidence reviewed

The published and unpublished evidence reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC included: (1) SARS-CoV-2 evolution, including genetic and antigenic characteristics of earlier and current SARS-CoV-2 variants, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 evolution on cross-neutralization and cross-protection following vaccination and/or infection; (2) Vaccine effectiveness (VE) of currently approved vaccines during periods of XBB descendent lineage circulation; (3) Antigenic cartography analyzing antigenic relationships of SARS-CoV-2 variants using naïve animal sera and human sera following vaccination and/or infection; (4) Preliminary immunogenicity data on the performance of currently approved vaccines against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants using animal and human sera; and (5) Cellular (T and B cell) immune responses following vaccination and/or infection. Further details on the publicly available data reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC can be found in the accompanying data annex. Unpublished and/or confidential data reviewed by the TAG-CO-VAC are not shown.

Summary of available evidence
  • SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate and evolve. Based on available sequences, there is heterogeneity in circulating variants across WHO regions.
  • There continues to be important genetic and antigenic evolution of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.
  • As of 2 December 2023, XBB descendent lineages including XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, EG.5, HK.3 and HV.1 accounted for 73% of genetic sequences available in GISAID, and this proportion has declined since then. SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest BA.2.86, with the earliest sample collected in July 2023, has 36 amino acid substitutions relative to XBB.1.5, including in key antigenic sites in the spike protein. The proportion of BA.2.86 and its descendent lineages, including JN.1 (which has one additional substitution in the spike protein as compared to BA.2.86 (L455S)), has been increasing steadily. As of 2 December 2023, BA.2.86 and its descendent lineages, including JN.1, accounted for 17% of sequences available in GISAID, more than half of which were JN.1.
  • Several of these XBB- and BA.2.86 derived variants (e.g., EG.5, HV.1, HK.3, JN.1) have independently-evolved changes in the spike protein at a neutralizing antibody epitope involving amino acid residues 455 and/or 456. This highlights the current immune pressure on this epitope.
  • In naïve animals, monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines elicited neutralizing antibodies that cross-reacted well with XBB descendent lineages (e.g., EG.5, HV.1, HK.3). However, BA.2.86 and JN.1 were not neutralized well, indicating that BA.2.86 and JN.1 are antigenically distinguishable from XBB.1.5 in this model.
  • In contrast, sera from humans vaccinated with XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccines, with or without recent prior infection, neutralized XBB descendent lineages including EG.5, HK.3, HV.1, as well as BA.2.86 and JN.1. However, there are only limited data on cross neutralization of JN.1.
  • The differences observed in cross-reactivity to BA.2.86 and JN.1 in naïve animals, as compared to human sera, likely reflect the cumulative infection- and vaccine-derived immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in the human population.
  • In vaccine effectiveness studies, protection conferred by bivalent (index virus and BA.1- or BA.4/5) mRNA vaccines and a Beta-based protein vaccine against severe disease during periods of XBB descendent lineage circulation remains high. Protection against symptomatic disease and infection is lower and wanes more rapidly over several months. Monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines were only recently introduced, so VE estimates for vaccines with this composition are still very limited. Preclinical and clinical immunogenicity data of monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines indicate that higher neutralizing antibody titres against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants are expected to be associated with higher VE estimates as compared to COVID-19 vaccines with an index virus-based or bivalent (BA.1- or BA.4/5- containing) vaccine antigen composition.

The TAG-CO-VAC acknowledges several limitations of the available data:

  • There are persistent and increasing gaps in genetic/genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 globally, including low numbers of samples sequenced and limited geographic diversity.
  • The timing, specific mutations and associated antigenic characteristics, and the potential public health risks of future variants remain unknown.
  • Although neutralizing antibody titres have been shown to be important correlates of protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and of estimates of vaccine effectiveness, there are multiple components of immune protection elicited by infection and/or vaccination. Data on the immune responses following XBB descendent lineage infection or XBB.1.5 vaccination are largely restricted to neutralizing antibodies and data on other aspects of the immune response, including cellular immunity, are limited.
  • Estimates of VE against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, including XBB descendent lineages, are limited in terms of the number of studies, geographic diversity, vaccine platforms evaluated, populations assessed, duration of follow-up and comparative estimates for monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines versus other formulations.
Recommendations for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition

Given the current SARS-CoV-2 evolution and the breadth in immune responses demonstrated by monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines against circulating variants, the TAG-CO-VAC advises retaining the current COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition, i.e. a monovalent XBB.1.5 (e.g., hCoV-19/USA/RI-CDC-2-6647173/2022, GenBank: OQ054680.1, GISAID: EPI_ISL_16134259 or WHO Biohub: 2023-WHO-LS-01, GenBank: OQ983940, GISAID EPI_ISL_16760602) as the COVID-19 vaccine antigen.

Other formulations and/or platforms that achieve robust neutralizing antibody responses against currently circulating variants, including XBB- and BA.2.86 descendent lineages, can also be considered. In accordance with WHO SAGE policy, vaccination programmes can continue to use any of the WHO emergency-use listed or prequalified COVID-19 vaccines.

Further data requirements and considerations

Given the limitations of the evidence upon which the recommendations above are derived and the anticipated continued evolution of the virus, the TAG-CO-VAC strongly encourages generation of the following data:  

  • Immune responses and clinical endpoints (i.e. VE) in varied human populations who receive COVID-19 vaccines with a monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccine antigen composition, across different vaccine platforms, as well as further data on the performance of all currently approved COVID-19 vaccines against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
  • Strengthened epidemiological and virological surveillance, as per the Standing Recommendations for COVID-19 in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005), to determine if emerging variants are antigenically distinct and able to displace circulating variants.
  • Clinical evaluation of new vaccine antigens, particularly those emerging from XBB and BA.2.86 descendent lineages.

As previously stated, the TAG-CO-VAC continues to encourage the further development of vaccines that may improve protection against infection and reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

 

 

Urgent action needed to protect children and prevent the uptake of e-cigarettes

WHO news - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 19:13
Urgent action is needed to control e-cigarettes to protect children, as well as non-smokers and minimize health harms to the population. E-cigarettes as consumer products are not shown to be effective for quitting tobacco use at the population level. Instead, alarming evidence has emerged on adverse population health effects.

Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis still below pre-pandemic levels - West Nile virus infections on the rise

ECDC - News - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 12:31
Campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis were the most frequently reported zoonotic diseases in humans in the EU in 2022. For West Nile virus, an increase of the number of infections was observed.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Universal Health Coverage Day 2023 focuses on building resilience of health systems

WHO news - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 12:20
On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, WHO is calling on governments to prioritize investments in building resilient health systems to safeguard the health and well-being of all people, everywhere.

WHO calls for protection of humanitarian space in Gaza following serious incidents in high-risk mission to transfer patients, deliver health supplies

WHO news - Mar, 12/12/2023 - 10:17
WHO reiterates its call for the protection of health care and humanitarian assistance in Gaza, following military checkpoint delays and detention of health partners during a mission to transfer critically-ill patients and deliver supplies to a hospital in northern Gaza.

WHO’s Executive Board adopts resolution on access for life-saving aid into Gaza and respect for laws of war

WHO news - Dum, 12/10/2023 - 21:13

In a special session held today in Geneva, WHO’s Executive Board adopted a resolution aimed at addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The resolution was adopted by consensus.

This is the first time since 7 October that a resolution on this conflict has been adopted by consensus within the UN system. It underscores the importance of health as a universal priority, in all circumstances, and the role of healthcare and humanitarianism in building bridges to peace, even in the most difficult of situations.

Among other points, the resolution calls for “immediate, sustained and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, including the access of medical personnel.” It calls on “all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law…and reaffirms that all parties to armed conflict must comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law related to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and medical personnel.”

The resolution also commends WHO and health cluster partners in the field for remaining and delivering. Just yesterday, 9 December, amid extremely difficult circumstances, WHO and partners delivered supplies for up to 1500 patients and transferred patients from the Al-Ahli Hospital in the north to one in the south.

In remarks delivered throughout the day, many Member States offered sympathies for the loss of life of civilians, as well as health workers and UN employees, including WHO colleague Dima Alhaj.

In his closing remarks, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the adoption of the resolution was a starting point. “It does not resolve the crisis. But it is a platform on which to build.” He added that “Without a ceasefire, there is no peace. And without peace, there is no health. I urge all Member States, especially those with the most influence, to work with urgency to bring an end to this conflict as soon as possible.”

Financing, stages of alert for potential pandemics among the issues debated in sixth meeting of WGIHR

WHO news - Dum, 12/10/2023 - 15:50

WHO Member States this week continued their negotiations on proposals for amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), with extensive discussion on financing for preparedness and response to health emergencies, as one of the areas of common interest to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB).

The sixth meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR (WGIHR) was held on 7-8 December 2023. The IHR are a set of legally binding obligations for the 196 States Parties and for WHO with respect to public health events with risk of international spread. The proposed amendments, of which more than 300 have been submitted by States Parties to 33 of the 66 articles of the IHR, are a reaction to the challenges encountered during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“WGIHR members had very constructive discussions this week that continue to move us towards a package of amendments to be submitted to the next World Health Assembly. Of particular importance was agreeing on next steps on financing mechanisms for health emergency preparedness and response. The WGIHR is working in coordination with the INB on this and other common issues,” said Co-Chair Dr Ashley Bloomfield of New Zealand.

Co-Chair Dr Abdullah Asiri of Saudi Arabia also noted that, "One of the most critical matters the WGIHR is discussing centres on proposals for a tiered alert system, also referred to by Member States as the ‘public health alert – PHEIC – pandemic continuum’. The greater clarity we achieve on these definitions and the actions they require, the more prepared the world will be for the next pandemic.”

Delegations considered the text proposals from the Bureau, a group of 6 Member States representatives, appointed by the WGIHR from among the 6 WHO Regions, to facilitate the negotiations on the proposed amendments. For this meeting, the Bureau’s text covered more than half of the articles and annexes for which amendments have been submitted and was derived from discussions at previous meetings. Work will continue on the remaining articles that have proposed amendments, so that an overall package can be finalized and agreed by May 2024. 

Member States of the WGIHR are working in close coordination with the INB, another ongoing government-led process to negotiate an international agreement, instrument or convention to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics. One of the cross-cutting subjects for both processes is the alert and response system, in particular the pandemic declaration and actions connected with it. To support this, the WGIHR will convene a subgroup to facilitate further consultations, in coordination with the INB. 

Before the next WGIHR meeting, scheduled to take place on 5-9 February 2024, discussions will continue among proponents of different amendments, including with INB subgroups.

The Working Group will also meet in April 2024 to finalize its proposed package of amendments to be presented to the World Health Assembly in May.

Rising rates of sexually transmitted infections across Europe

ECDC - News - Sâm, 12/09/2023 - 00:14
In a series of reports released by ECDC, a concerning rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe has been revealed indicating troubling trends and significant public health implications.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

France signs agreements to support WHO's work

WHO news - Vin, 12/08/2023 - 11:37

©WHO/Chris B.

Geneva – His Excellency Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations in Geneva, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, today signed several funding agreements totaling € 25.5 million to support critical health priorities.

The agreements include € 4.5 million of funding for the Core Voluntary Contribution Account (CVCA) of WHO; these are fully flexible funds which allow WHO to allocate resources to key priorities outlined in its General Programme of Work. An additional € 15 million will be used to deliver on specific key priorities, such as One Health, the advancement of universal health coverage, and primary health care, communicable and noncommunicable diseases, the medical countermeasure initiative, and the country readiness strengthening through WHO’s office in Lyon.

A large part of the contribution (€ 6 million) is aimed at covering the humanitarian response on several fronts: € 2 million will go towards enhancing mental health initiatives in Ukraine; € 0.35 million is to support the response to the cholera outbreak in Malawi; € 1 million will support WHO’s humanitarian response in Gaza, with an additional € 2 million dedicated to strengthening the technical and human activities of the WHO Office in the occupied Palestinian territory. Finally, € 0.65 million will go to the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, to be used as needs arise.

“As one of the world’s largest economies, France has a critical role to play in global health. France's financial contributions and agreements, signed today, provide flexibility and align well with WHO’s priorities to promote, provide, protect, power and perform for health” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

France’s WHO Framework Agreement for the period 2020-2025 ensures sustainable funding for priority health programmes, aligned with WHO priorities.

Some of the joint 2022-2023 collaboration priorities include the work of the WHO Academy, based in Lyon, stronger health systems towards universal health coverage, health emergencies – in particular the International Health Regulations (IHR) and health emergencies preparedness – and reducing health inequalities.

These priorities align with the France Global Health Strategy 2023-2027, published in October 2023.

“Committed to global health, France supports the WHO’s action in crises and for the benefit of the most vulnerable,” said Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations.

In 2020-2021, the Republic of France contributed over US$ 143 million to WHO, (including assessed and voluntary contributions), with 76% of the contributions in flexible and thematic funds. Flexible funds allow WHO to assign resources when and where they are needed most, ensuring that key priorities are funded, and a better flow of funds, enabling a more agile delivery of WHO’s objectives as per the General Programme of Work.

Countering chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents through intersectoral cooperation: an interview with Cornelius Bartels

ECDC - News - Joi, 12/07/2023 - 23:18
We talked to Cornelius Bartels after a three-day training on bio-risk awareness and mitigation organised by ECDC, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health, and Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Annual meeting of National ECDC Correspondents in the Western Balkans and Türkiye

ECDC - News - Joi, 12/07/2023 - 23:18
The 2023 annual meeting of the National ECDC Correspondents in the Western Balkans and Türkiye took place on 5 – 6 December in Tirana, Albania.
Categorii: C.D.C. (Europe)

Pagini

Subscribe to Asociatia Creierului Iasi agregator