Weekly releases (1997–2007) - Volume 6, Issue 50, 12 December 2002

The recent reporting in ProMED (www.promedmail.org) of hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreaks in Sheffield has raised interest in the epidemiology of HAV infections in England and Wales (1). Data from 2001, and from the first two quarters of 2002 demonstrate that HAV infection is becoming an increasing problem. Seven hundred and sixty nine cases occurred overall during 2001, most of these being in men aged between 15 and 44 years (table 1). The Northern and Yorkshire region (which includes Sheffield) accounted for 21% of the total reports due to several outbreaks which occurred in this region (2). Although only 19% of reports included information on risk factors, intravenous drug users (IDUs) were the most prominent risk group among these.

A human case of European Bat Lyssavirus (EBL) 2 infection in Scotland in November was confirmed by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in November 2002 (1). This is the first confirmed human infection of EBL 2 in the United Kingdom (UK), and the first human rabies-like infection acquired in the UK since 1902 (2).

In response to a dramatic change in the epidemiology of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in England and Wales, thought to be associated with raw shell eggs (1), the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has initiated an outbreak-related Public Health Investigation (PHI) (2). Raw shell eggs from premises linked to outbreaks of S. Enteritidis, or their sources of supply are examined for Salmonella spp. and isolates are sent to the Laboratory of Enteric Pathogens (LEP) for confirmation and typing. The results to date are shown in the table below.

Norway (like Finland and Sweden) has a very low level of Salmonella in domestic foodstuffs and animals. Therefore, strict guarantees in regard to Salmonella are required for foodstuff consignments to these countries. Foodstuffs subject to additional guarantees are fresh beef, veal, pork and poultry meat, and raw shell eggs for human consumption. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, which is the most common serotype found in poultry in most countries, has never been detected in Norwegian poultry production (1).

Preparedness and response to the threats of smallpox, chemical release and pandemic influenza were discussed at the third meeting of the Global Health Security Initiative on 6 December 2002 in Mexico City. The meeting was attended by health ministers and secretaries from the G7+ countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (US), plus Mexico), and the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection (1). The first meeting, which saw the launch of the initiative, was held in Ottawa in November 2001, and a second meeting was held in London, in March 2002 (2).