Effectiveness of influenza vaccines in children aged 6 to 59 months: a test-negative case-control study at primary care and hospital level, Spain 2023/24.

During 2023/24, all children aged 6 to 59 months were targeted for seasonal influenza vaccination in Spain nationally. Using a test-negative case-control design with sentinel surveillance data, we estimated adjusted influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against any influenza type to be 70% (95% confidence interval (CI): 51 to 81%) for primary care patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI) and 77% (95% CI: 21 to 93%) for hospitalised patients with severe ARI. In primary care, where most subtyped viruses (61%; 145/237) were A(H1N1), adjusted IVE was 77% (95% CI: 56 to 88%) against A(H1N1)pdm09.

Severity of respiratory syncytial virus compared with SARS-CoV-2 and influenza among hospitalised adults ≥65 years.

Introduction: Our aim was to estimate the risk of pneumonia, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) or death in individuals ≥65 years old admitted to hospital with RSV, compared to influenza or COVID-19.

Methods: We included hospitalised patients from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance in Spain between 2021-2024, aged ≥65 years, laboratory confirmed for RSV, influenza or SARS-CoV-2. Using a binomial regression with logarithmic link, we estimated the relative risk (RR) of pneumonia, ICU admission and in-hospital mortality, in patients with RSV compared to influenza or SARS-CoV-2, adjusting for age, sex, season and comorbidities.

Detection of dengue in German tourists returning from Ibiza, Spain, related to an autochthonous outbreak, August to October 2022.

In February 2023, German public health authorities reported two dengue cases (one confirmed, one probable) and four possible cases who travelled to Ibiza, Spain, in late summer/autumn 2022; the infection was probably acquired through mosquito bites. Case 1 visited Ibiza over 1 week in late August with two familial companions; all three developed symptoms the day after returning home. Only Case 1 was tested; dengue virus (DENV) infection was confirmed by presence of NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies.

Assessment of tuberculosis surveillance by capture-recapture in the Balearic Islands, Spain, 2005-2007.

The tuberculosis surveillance system in the Balearic Islands was assessed from 2005 to 2007. Applying the capture-recapture method the completeness of this system was evaluated to be 58.4%.

[cycEVA study: case control study measuring influenza vaccine effectiveness in Spain, 2008-2013].

Background: In Spain, influenza vaccine effectiveness (EV) is estimated since 2008-09 season through the cycEVA case-control study, the Spanish component of the European I-MOVE (Monitoring Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in the EU/EEA) network. We aimed at describing cycEVA performance in its five consolidated editions 2008/09 -; 2012/13.

Methods: During the study period the following indicators were analysed: 1) the participation of sentinel general practitioners and pediatricians (MP), 2) the population studied and the study period, 3) the data quality and 4) the dissemination of the cycEVA results.

Outbreak of hepatitis A in a nursery school.

In a background of very low incidence of hepatitis A HA in the last decade (annual average of 1.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) we describe an outbreak of HA which evolved in Mallorca between May and August 2010, whose main focus was a nursery school where more cases were parents and other young relatives of the children of the institution. Thirty-four cases were defined as outbreak cases.

An outbreak of cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus associated to mesotherapy.

Introduction: In February 2009 an outbreak of subcutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium abscessus was detected in Spain which affected healthy women who had undergone mesotherapy procedures in an aesthetic clinic.

Methods: Epidemiological research, health inspection and microbiological studies were conducted. The patients were given antibiotic treatment (according to susceptibility testing) with clarithromycin, and in some cases, combined with amikacin.

[Norovirus outbreak in Majorca (Spain) associated with oyster consumption].

We describe investigation into an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with oyster consumption. A survey was conducted in 346 exposed persons, 266 of whom were cases. Only 14 feces samples from patients were sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory.

[Tuberculosis surveillance in the Balearic Islands and characteristics of unreported cases from 2005 to 2007].

We performed a descriptive study of tuberculosis cases detected by the Epidemiological Surveillance System in the Balearic Islands in the triennium 2005-2007. Our goal was to characterize underreported cases in sociodemographic terms and their contact with primary care. Overall, underreporting of tuberculosis was approximately 20%.

[Outbreak of pandemic virus (H1N1) 2009 in a residence for mentally disabled persons in Balearic Island, Spain].

Background: The flu season 2009-2010 has been shorter and less severe than expected. Since January 2010, influenza surveillance systems indicated rates of very low incidence of influenza without detection of virus circulation. In this context, a hospital reported a suspected outbreak of severe respiratory disease, the aetiology proved influenza A(H1N1)v.

[Incidence and risk factors for acute gastroenteritis among pilgrims following the French way to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) in summer 2008].

Objectives: To determine the incidence of acute gastroenteritis in pilgrims on St. James' Way, as well as associated risk factors and microbiological characteristics.

Methods: Two studies were designed simultaneously: a cross-sectional study through self-completed questionnaires among pilgrims reaching Santiago, and a case-control study of pilgrims traveling along the Way.