Eurosurveillance - Volume 13, Issue 29, 17 July 2008

Following an incidence rate of 1/100,000 inhabitants in 2006 [1], Italy has been facing an upsurge of measles cases since September 2007, with outbreaks being reported in various regions. In Italy, measles vaccination is currently offered free of charge as combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The current national vaccination schedule recommends two doses of MMR vaccine, given respectively at 11-12 months and 5-6 years of age. Although childhood vaccination coverage has increased in recent years, reaching the national average of 88% in 2006 (source: Ministry of Health), with some regional variability (Figure 1), it is still below the target of 95% set by the National Measles Elimination Plan (MEP) launched in 2003 [2], and outbreaks continue to occur.

Travelling abroad is increasingly popular among the 4.5 million Norwegians. In 2007, Norwegians made a total of 5.8 million holiday trips defined as stays away from all-year residences with a duration of at least four nights. In about half of these trips (3.4 million trips), the destination was outside Norway. The favourite destination in 2007 was Spain, which was chosen for more than 650,000 holiday trips, followed by Denmark, Sweden and Greece [1].

Twenty countries reported 921 cases of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease to EWGLINET (the European Surveillance Scheme for Travel-Associated Legionnaires' Disease) with onset during 2006; 875 confirmed and 46 presumptive. Thirty three cases died, giving a case fatality rate of 3.6%. Of the 124 new clusters detected in 2006, 43 would not have been identified without the EWGLINET scheme. A total of 146 investigations were conducted at cluster sites according to the standards of the EWGLINET investigation guidelines; 111 of these investigations were associated with the new clusters while 35 investigations were associated with re-offending sites (where additional cases had onset after a report was received to say that investigations and control measures had been satisfactorily conducted). The names of four accommodation sites were published on the EWGLI website. Overall, there has been an upwards trend in case numbers since the scheme was founded, which has implications for the work load of public health authorities across Europe and for the tour industry. Despite this increasing pressure on public health authorities, environmental investigations are being conducted in a timely manner. .

A genetic-epidemiological study published in the July issue of Cell Host and Microbe has found an association between the susceptibility to HIV infection and a genetic mutation common in people of African descent.

We are looking for someone to join our editorial team whose English language skills are at the level of a native speaker and who has experience in scientific editing and writing.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control invites applications for a number of positions