Weekly releases (1997–2007) - Volume 8, Issue 5, 29 January 2004

Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease, which typically occurs as epidemics during the cold months. Every year, 100 million people are affected in Europe, Japan and the USA alone. Pandemic strains originating from animals have the potential to cause high morbidity and mortality in human populations.

There are currently widespread outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in South East Asia that have been ongoing since late 2003. The outbreaks are due to a strain of influenza A, subtype H5N1.

Eleven months after its launch in the United Kingdom (1), the meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine (MenC vaccine) was introduced in Ireland in October 2000.

In May and June 2003, an unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox occurred in six states across the United States (US). In total, there were 72 confirmed or suspected cases

The European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) started in 1995. The programme is funded by the European Commission and by various EU member states as well as WHO and Norway.