Excess mortality among the elderly in European countries, December 2014 to February 2015.

Since December 2014 and up to February 2015, the weekly number of excess deaths from all-causes among individuals ≥ 65 years of age in 14 European countries have been significantly higher than in the four previous winter seasons. The rise in unspecified excess mortality coincides with increased proportion of influenza detection in the European influenza surveillance schemes with a main predominance of influenza A (H3N2) viruses seen throughout Europe in the current season, though cold snaps and other respiratory infections may also have had an effect.

Pooling European all-cause mortality: methodology and findings for the seasons 2008/2009 to 2010/2011.

Several European countries have timely all-cause mortality monitoring. However, small changes in mortality may not give rise to signals at the national level. Pooling data across countries may overcome this, particularly if changes in mortality occur simultaneously.

Excess mortality among the elderly in 12 European countries, February and March 2012.

In February and March 2012, excess deaths among the elderly have been observed in 12 European countries that carry out weekly monitoring of all-cause mortality. These preliminary data indicate that the impact of influenza in Europe differs from the recent pandemic and post-pandemic seasons. The current excess mortality among the elderly may be related to the return of influenza A(H3N2) virus, potentially with added effects of a cold snap.

Excess mortality related to seasonal influenza and extreme temperatures in Denmark, 1994-2010.

Background: In temperate zones, all-cause mortality exhibits a marked seasonality, and one of the main causes of winter excess mortality is influenza. There is a tradition of using statistical models based on mortality from respiratory illnesses (Pneumonia and Influenza: PI) or all-cause mortality for estimating the number of deaths related to influenza. Different authors have applied different estimation methodologies.

Burden of illness of the 2009 pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) in Denmark.

We analysed Danish surveillance data to estimate influenza-associated morbidity and mortality in 2009. To obtain population-based estimates of the clinical attack rate, we combined data from two different primary health care surveillance systems, national numbers of the proportion of positive influenza tests, and data from a web-based interview on health care seeking behaviour during the pandemic. From a national registry, we obtained data on hospital admissions (ICD-10 codes) for influenza related conditions.

Higher all-cause mortality in children during autumn 2009 compared with the three previous years: pooled results from eight European countries.

The paper describes weekly fluctuations of all-cause mortality observed in eight European countries during the period between week 27 and 51, 2009, in comparison with three previous years. Our preliminary data show that the mortality reported during the 2009 influenza pandemic did not reach levels normally seen during seasonal influenza epidemics. However, there was a cumulative excess mortality of 77 cases (1 per 100,000 population) in 5-14-year-olds, and possibly also among 0-4-year-olds.

Experience and lessons from surveillance and studies of the 2009 pandemic in Europe.

Surveillance and studies in a pandemic is a complex topic including four distinct components: (1) early detection and investigation; (2) comprehensive early assessment; (3) monitoring; and (4) rapid investigation of the effectiveness and impact of countermeasures, including monitoring the safety of pharmaceutical countermeasures. In the 2009 pandemic, the prime early detection and investigation took place in the Americas, but Europe needed to undertake the other three components while remaining vigilant to new phenomenon such as the emergence of antiviral resistance and important viral mutation. Laboratory-based surveillance was essential and also integral to epidemiological and clinical surveillance.

"I-MOVE" towards monitoring seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine effectiveness: lessons learnt from a pilot multi-centric case-control study in Europe, 2008-9.

Within I-MOVE (European programme to monitor seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE)) five countries conducted IVE pilot case-control studies in 2008-9. One hundred and sixty sentinel general practitioners (GP) swabbed all elderly consulting for influenza-like illness (ILI). Influenza confirmed cases were compared to influenza negative controls.

Start of the influenza season 2008-9 in Europe - increasing influenza activity moving from West to East dominated by A(H3N2).

The influenza season 2008-9 started in week 49 of 2008 and is so far characterised by influenza virus type A subtype H3N2. Isolates of this subtype that were tested proved susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors, but resistant to M2 inhibitors. The circulating A(H3N2) viruses are antigenically similar to the component in the current northern hemisphere influenza vaccine.

[The economic impact of an epidemic of hepatitis A among men who have sex with men].

Introduction: In 2004 Denmark had an epidemic of hepatitis A among men who have sex with men (MSM). We estimate the size and the economic impact of the epidemic and discuss possibilities to prevent new epidemics.

Materials And Methods: The size of the outbreak was estimated from notifications received by the Department of Epidemiology and the number of hepatitis A IgM positive specimens sent to the Department of Virology at Statens Serum Institut.

Molecular epidemiological studies show that hepatitis A virus is endemic among active homosexual men in Europe.

Large outbreaks of hepatitis A have occurred in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom during the period 1997-2005 affecting homosexual men. A collaborative study was undertaken between these countries to determine if the strains involved in these hepatitis A outbreaks were related genetically. The N-terminal region of VP1 and the VP1/P2A region of the strains were sequenced and compared.

Using sentinel surveillance to monitor effectiveness of influenza vaccine is feasible: a pilot study in Denmark.

The influenza vaccine for the season 2003/04 did not contain the circulating A(H3N2)/Fujian virus strain. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates were needed but unavailable. We explored whether or not laboratory based influenza surveillance can be used to estimate VE.

Using sentinel surveillance to monitor effectiveness of influenza vaccine is feasible: A pilot study in Denmark.

The influenza vaccine for the season 2003/04 did not contain the circulating A(H3N2)/Fujian virus strain. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates were needed but unavailable. We explored whether or not laboratory based influenza surveillance can be used to estimate VE.

An outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni associated with consumption of chicken, Copenhagen, 2005.

In May/June 2005 an outbreak of diarrhoeal illness occurred among company employees in Copenhagen. Cases were reported from seven of eight companies that received food from the same catering kitchen. Stool specimens from three patients from two companies were positive for Campylobacter jejuni.

An outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni associated with consumption of chicken, Copenhagen, 2005.

In May/June 2005 an outbreak of diarrhoeal illness occurred among company employees in Copenhagen. Cases were reported from seven of eight companies that received food from the same catering kitchen. Stool specimens from three patients from two companies were positive for Campylobacter jejuni.

Hepatitis A vaccination policy for travellers to Egypt in eight European countries, 2004.

In 2004, an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in European tourists returning from Egypt. The reported hepatitis A attack rates varied considerably between tourists from different European countries. To determine the reason for this divergence in attack rates, a survey was undertaken with the following objectives: (a) documentation of national hepatitis A prevention policies for people travelling to Egypt and (b) documentation of hepatitis A reporting practices in these countries.

Hepatitis A vaccination policy for travellers to Egypt in eight European countries, 2004.

In 2004, an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred in European tourists returning from Egypt. The reported hepatitis A attack rates varied considerably between tourists from different European countries. To determine the reason for this divergence in attack rates, a survey was undertaken with the following objectives: (a) documentation of national hepatitis A prevention policies for people travelling to Egypt and (b) documentation of hepatitis A reporting practices in these countries.

Hepatitis A outbreak among MSM linked to casual sex and gay saunas in Copenhagen, Denmark.

During an outbreak of hepatitis A predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2004, we did a case-control study to determine risk factors for infection. A case was an MSM >17 years, living in Copenhagen, with IgM positive hepatitis A infection diagnosed between June and August 2004, and without a household contact with a hepatitis A case before onset of illness. Controls were selected at the Copenhagen Pride Festival.

Hepatitis A outbreak among MSM linked to casual sex and gay saunas in Copenhagen, Denmark.

During an outbreak of hepatitis A predominantly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2004, we did a case-control study to determine risk factors for infection. A case was an MSM >17 years, living in Copenhagen, with IgM positive hepatitis A infection diagnosed between June and August 2004, and without a household contact with a hepatitis A case before onset of illness. Controls were selected at the Copenhagen Pride Festival.