Weekly releases (1997–2007) - Volume 7, Issue 10, 06 March 2003

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains possessing the Panton Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) gene have been detected in the Netherlands recently. The PVL gene encodes a highly potent toxin, which is involved in severe skin infections and necrotising pneumonia. PVL positive MRSA strains have also been noted in France (in healthy individuals; mean age 14 years), in the United States (for example, in the Los Angeles gay community, and in a large prison), and in Scotland (small outbreaks of skin abscesses in healthcare staff. The Scottish MRSA reference laboratory is now routinely screening both methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA for the PVL gene). It has been suggested that the PVL MRSA is acquired in the community (1-3).

By the end of December 2002 the number of cases of confirmed or probable variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) reported in the United Kingdom (UK) had reached a total of 129 (http://www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/stats/jan03.htm). Quarterly analyses are performed that estimate the underlying trend in vCJD incidence. These enable short term predictions for the expected number of deaths in the next year as well as estimates of the total number of individuals with symptom onset yet to be identified (http://www.cjd.ed.ac.uk/vcjd.htm).

Three locally acquired cases of dengue fever have been confirmed in Cairns, Australia. Dengue serotype 2 has been confirmed in one of the cases (Brian Montgomery, Scientific Officer, Tropical Public Health Unit, Queensland Heath, personal communication, 5 March 2003).

An information day will be held on 21 March in Luxembourg to encourage and help anyone interested in applying for funding under the new public health programme to gain a full understanding of the requirements and conditions. On 1 January 2003, the European Commission adopted the work plan 2003 for the implementation of the Public Health Programme (2003-2008). Priorities defined in the work plan for 2003 concentrate on those actions that will create solid foundations for the overall ambitions of the six year programme to run from 2003 to 2008.