Eurosurveillance - Volume 30, Issue 3, 23 January 2025

In 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected in wastewater samples in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom (UK). All strains were genetically linked, but sequence analysis showed high genetic diversity among the strains identified within individual wastewater sites and countries and an unexpected high genetic proximity among isolates from different countries. Taken together these results, with sequential samples having tested positive in various sites, a broader geographic distribution beyond positive sampling sites must be considered.

This case report details the public health response to a multibacillary leprosy case in Ireland. The case presented with hypopigmented skin lesions and neurological symptoms. Challenges included delayed recognition in the clinical setting, contact tracing within a congregate setting and lack of specific Irish guidelines. Comprehensive contact tracing, chemoprophylaxis and follow-up care were implemented, guided by international protocols. This case underscores the need for tailored guidelines and stigma mitigation strategies for this neglected tropical disease in non-endemic regions.

In 2021, a large outbreak of hantavirus disease (HAVID) in Croatia with 334 notified cases coincided with a COVID-19 wave and included patients from areas previously not considered endemic, challenging HAVID recognition and patient management. We analysed clinical and epidemiological data on all 254 patients with HAVID treated in the Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka (CHC Rijeka) between February and November 2021. Most patients (n = 246; 96.9%) had antibodies against Puumala virus, 212 (83.5%) were residents of endemic areas for HAVID, 93 (36.6%) reported occupational exposure and 86 (33.9%) had observed rodents or rodent excreta. Thirty-seven (14.6%) patients were not notified to the public health authorities. Most patients (n = 177; 69.7%) were male. The median age of the patients was 43 years (range: 17–79 years) in males and 54 years (range: 14–77 years) in females. More severe courses of disease were observed in males aged < 45 years than in older males and females of any age (OR = 2.27; 95% CI: 1.21–4.24; p < 0.005). Measures to prevent exposure, early detection and notification of cases and close collaboration between primary and secondary healthcare teams with public health personnel are essential to improve surveillance and prevent hantavirus outbreaks.