ETIDIOH - NEW

Highlights •  Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was circulating in Europe in 2023 •  Most EV-D68 cases were captured through clinical EV surveillance •  Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 region revealed a distinct B3-derived lineage •  The identified B3 lineage presented a previously undescribed residue change, D554E Abstract Background Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causes respiratory disease ranging from mild to severe and in rare cases a paralytic syndrome, called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Since the global EV-D68 outbreak in 2014, the virus has mainly circulated in biennial epidemic cycles with peaks detected during even years. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the seasonal pattern of EV-D68 has been characterized by large yearly upsurges . Here, we describe the circulation of EV-D68 in Europe in 2023 and track its genetic evolution. Study design Data was compiled from members of the European Non-Polio Network (ENPEN). This included monthly data on the total number of...

Abstract Background The direct and indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy (LE) and years of life lost with and without disability remain unclear. Accounting for pre-pandemic trends in morbidity and mortality, we assessed these impacts in 18 European countries, for the years 2020–2022. Methods and Findings We used multi-state Markov modeling based on several data sources to track transitions of the population aged 35 or older between eight health states from disease-free, combinations of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, dementia, and disability, through to death . We quantified separately numbers and rates of deaths attributable to COVID-19 from those related to mortality from other causes during 2020–2022, and estimated the proportion of loss of life expectancy and years of life with and without disability that could have been avoided if the pandemic had not occurred. Estimates were disaggregated by COVID-19 versus non-COVID causes of deaths, calendar...

Summary Background Arboviruses have expanded into new regions in Europe , yet data indicate gaps in disease notifications and a risk of further spread. We aimed to report on prevalence, clinical management, and outcomes of endemic arbovirus infections in southeast Europe. Methods In this prospective observational study (MERMAIDS-ARBO), we enrolled adults (age ≥18 years) hospitalised with an arbovirus-compatible disease syndrome within 21 days of symptom onset across 21 hospitals in seven countries in southeast Europe over four arbovirus seasons (May 1–Oct 31, during 2016–19). We obtained data from case report forms completed by site investigators on admission and discharge. Participants were excluded if they had non-infectious CNS disorders, symptoms of another confirmed cause, an identified focal source of infection, or symptoms caused by recurrence of a pre-existing condition. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with confirmed or probable acute infections with West...

 {Excerpt} Abstract   Between 21 September and 6 December 2024 , 657 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) and A(H5N5) virus detections were reported in domestic (341) and wild (316) birds across 27 countries in Europe . Many HPAI outbreaks in domestic birds were clustered in areas with high poultry density and characterised by secondary farm-to-farm spread . Waterfowl , particularly the mute swan , were primarily affected during this reporting period, with HPAI virus detections focused on south-eastern Europe . Notably, A(H5N5) viruses expanded their geographic and host range, resulting in a surge in detections and mortality events described in gulls and crows . No new HPAI virus detections in mammals were reported in Europe during this reporting period, but the number of dairy cattle farms reportedly affected in the United States of America (USA) rose to > 800 in 16 States, and HPAI virus was identified in two pigs in a mixed-species farm. Between 21 September ...