Weekly releases (1997–2007) - Volume 11, Issue 15, 13 April 2006

As of 12 April 2006, 660 cases of measles have been reported in the federal state of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. The first cases connected with this outbreak were notified in January

During the 2005-2006 season, seasonal influenza epidemics started late in countries across Europe

Antimicrobial resistance in human pathogenic bacteria is a global public health problem. It is associated not only with increased morbidity and mortality, but also with significant healthcare costs in preventing its emergence and dissemination.

The natural reservoir of influenza viruses is generally considered to be wild waterbirds. In this animal group, many species of influenza viruses circulate without seeming to cause much disease, and are therefore known as ‘low pathogenic’ avian influenza viruses