Evaluation of 17 years of MERIN (Meningitis and Encephalitis register in Lower Saxony, Germany) surveillance system: participants acceptability survey, completeness and timeliness of data.

Background: A Meningitis and Encephalitis Surveillance (MERIN) was implemented in 2003 in Lower Saxony, Germany as an alternative to acute flaccid paralyses surveillance, as the latter did not reach WHO sensitivity criteria. The system provides information on circulating enterovirus (EV) serotypes by focussing on patients with suspected aseptic meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis and contributes to the national surveillance in documenting polio free status. MERIN is based on voluntary participation of hospitals.

Recruiting controls from an online panel for a case-control study enabled a timely and reliable foodborne outbreak investigation, Germany 2021.

We explored the feasibility, suitability, and reliability of using controls recruited among members of a non-probabilistic online panel ('panel controls') in a case-control study (CCS) to investigate a Braenderup outbreak in Germany. For comparison, another control group was recruited via random digit dialling ('classical controls'). Panel members received questionnaires by email; classical controls were interviewed by phone.

Use of a non-probabilistic online panel as a control group for case-control studies to investigate food and waterborne outbreaks in Lower Saxony, Germany.

Established methods of recruiting population controls for case-control studies in infectious disease outbreak investigations are resource- and time-intensive, and are often subject to bias. The online panel have recently gained interest as an easy and timely method to select controls. We examined the feasibility, suitability and reliability of using an online panel to select controls for case-control studies as part of investigations of diffuse food and waterborne outbreaks.

Reemergence of Scabies Driven by Adolescents and Young Adults, Germany, 2009-2018.

To validate anecdotal evidence on scabies infestations, we analyzed inpatient and outpatient claims data in Germany. Scabies diagnoses increased 9-fold and treatment failure 4-fold during 2009-2018, driven mainly by persons 15-24 years of age. Prevention and control in young adults appear key because of these persons' high mobility and social connectivity.

[Reduce obstacles, promote health-healthcare access for undocumented migrants within a pilot project in Lower Saxony, Germany (2016-2018)].

Background: In 2014, the parliament of the federal state of Lower Saxony (Germany) implemented a three-year pilot project to reduce barriers to healthcare for undocumented migrants. For this purpose, two counselling centres (CCs) were established (Hanover and Goettingen), where undocumented migrants receive treatment vouchers for the medical treatment of acute medical issues, check-ups, and vaccination.

Objective: We assessed which medical services were used in order to identify needs and recommend specific improvements to policymakers.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O103:H2 outbreak in Germany after school trip to Austria due to raw cow milk, 2017 - The important role of international collaboration for outbreak investigations.

Following a school ski-trip to Austria from 10 to 18/02/2017, nine of 25 participants of the group from Lower Saxony (Germany) developed gastroenteritis. The students and teachers (17-41 years) shared meals in a hotel. Active case finding revealed further cases among German school groups from North Rhine-Westphalia and Schleswig-Holstein, staying at the same hotel in February 2017.

Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Measles, Rubella and Varicella among Asylum Seekers Arriving in Lower Saxony, Germany, November 2014-October 2015.

The number of asylum seekers arriving in Germany has increased rapidly since 2014 and cases of vaccine-preventable diseases at reception centres were reported. Asylum seekers 12 years and older arriving in Lower Saxony were serologically screened for antibodies against measles, rubella and varicella between November 2014 and October 2015. We calculated the seroprevalence from the screening data by disease, country of origin and age group and compared them to literature-based herd immunity thresholds in order to identify immunisation gaps.

Diagnostic accuracy of two pressure ulcer risk scales and a generic nursing assessment tool. A psychometric comparison.

Aim: Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of two pressure ulcer risk assessment scales and one generic nursing assessment tool.

Background: Guidelines for pressure ulcer prevention recommend an initial risk screening of all patients, followed by appropriate nursing interventions. Additionally, personal and financial resources have to be allocated carefully to avoid excessive or too little treatment.

Pressure ulcer risk screening in hospitals and nursing homes with a general nursing assessment tool: evaluation of the care dependency scale.

Rationale: In view of an increasing necessity for systematic assessments, nursing practice would benefit from a simplification of assessment procedures. These assessments should be scientifically based.

Aims: To evaluate the possibility of assessing pressure ulcer risk as well as care dependency simultaneously with a standardized instrument for nursing homes and hospitals.