Unprecedented increase of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease, Spain, summer 2020.

Cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND) in Spain increased in summer 2020. Here we report on this increase and the local, regional and national public health measures taken in response. We analysed data from regional surveillance networks and the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network, both for human and animal West Nile virus (WNV) infection.

[Consolidated HIV-AIDS epidemiological surveillance system in Extremadura, period 1980-2018].

Objective: Implementation of epidemiological surveillance systems is required to design a programme for HIV epidemic. The focus of this article is to report the HIV-AIDS incidence and age of infection evolution in Extremadura, during the period 1980-2018.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of anual incidence of HIV-infection new diagnosis and AIDS diagnosis in Extremadura, between 1981 and 2018, including both years.

[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.

[Mortality and hospital utilization due to breast cancer in Extremadura, Spain (2002-2004)].

Objective: To provide an update on breast cancer mortality and hospital utilization in the autonomous region of Extremadura (Spain).

Method: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study of breast cancer in Extremadura, using the minimum data set and the death register as data sources. The means and standard deviation (SD) are presented.

[Dialysis and transplant. Spain in 2005].

In 2005, renal replace treatment (dialysis and transplant) was necessary for about 40,000 people, without being known the number accurate and either their basic characteristics, such as: time in treatment, modality or treatment changes. The presented data cover the 76% of the Spanish population and are the result of the cooperation among technicians of registries, nephrologists and transplant coordinations. 4,125 people started RRT in 2005, the total estimated acceptance rate for renal replacement therapy in adults in Spain was 126 pmp and regarding other European countries it locates us in an intermediate area.

[Role of nurses from Extremadura in the Spanish drug surveillance system (2000-2005)].

Introduction: The main aim of pharmacovigilance, a public health activity, is to communicate, collect and evaluate notifications of adverse reactions to drugs (ARD) received from health professionals. Among this collective, nurses are in an optimal position due to their knowledge of pharmacology and their role in the front line of patient care.

Method: We performed a search of the ARD reported by nursing staff in Extremadura from january 1, 2000 to december 31, 2005 through the pharmacovigilance information system of Extremadura.

[Guide to the principles and methods of health sentinel networks in Spain].

Health sentinel networks are being increasingly used in the study of health-related problems. The present article aims to provide a methodological guide - designed by regional sentinel network managers and based on the results of a Delphi study - that can be used to set up and develop a health sentinel network. The main topics in the guide are the following: definition of a health sentinel network; network description: aims and structure; methods for the selection of sentinel participants; description of health processes suitable for study through this methodology: incidence, case definition, exclusion and inclusion criteria; description of the target population: the denominator for incidence rates estimates; quality indicators; periodicity of data collection; dissemination of the information: periodicity and methods, and incorporation of the participants in the decision-making process through multidisciplinary commissions.

[Health sentinel networks in Spain. Consensus for a guide of principles and methods].

Since the eighties, health sentinel networks have been active in our country, but with a variety of objectives, methods and different development levels in the autonomous communities. The necessity of standardising the management and harmonising the indicators has concluded in a research project on the Spanish health sentinel networks, one of whose objectives is to establish a guide for work principles and methods. A panel of 23 experts has made a study using the Delphi method to agree, in three consecutive phases, a definition of sentinel network, the objectives and the management principles and other aspects related to the organisation and functioning.

[Disease registries in the epidemiological researching of rare diseases in Spain].

Background: The use of tools such as disease registries poses a problem in the case of rare diseases. This study is aimed at describing the current situation concerning rare disease registries in Spain.

Methods: The information provided by two Spanish health registries directories prepared by the Spanish Health Assessment Technologies Agencies are employed, a descriptive cross-sectional study being conducted.