Management Board Approves ECDC's 2010 Work Programme Farewell To

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control quarterly newsletter

no InsightJanuary–March 2010 11 In this issue:

1. Farewell to Zsuzsanna Jakab, ECDC founding Director

Management Board approves ECDC’s 2010 work programme

2. Editorial by Acting Director

ECDC’s response to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic

3. ECDC’s Crisis Communication Workshop for Advisory Forum Members

Eurovaccine conference

From left to right: Karl Ekdahl, Margot Wallström, Zsuzsanna Jakab, and Johan Giesecke ECDC marks TB Day

Supporting the countries’ Farewell to Zsuzsanna Jakab, communication activities ECDC founding Director 4. Programme presentation: January was a time for farewell at ECDC as its found- Director of ECDC in charge of the day-to-day manage- Programme on emerging and ing Director, Zsuzsanna Jakab, was due to join WHO ment of the Centre. In this job, he is supported by vectorborne diseases as new Regional Director for Europe on 1 February Johan Giesecke on all scientific issues (read more on 2010. Margot Wallström, Vice President of the page 2). ECDC staff also acknowledged Zsuzsanna 5. Annual meeting STI European Commission in charge of Institutional Jakab’s achievements during a farewell staff meeting. surveillance network/Annual meeting HIV surveillance Relations and Communication, paid a goodbye visit Starting from a mere concept, Ms Jakab built ECDC network to Zsuzsanna during her final week at ECDC. Ms Jakab into an internationally respected centre of excel- was accompanied by Karl Ekdahl, Head of the Health lence; a legacy that will rightly follow her for the rest Training of Overseas Communication Unit, and Johan Giesecke, ECDC Chief of her professional career. Her successor is expected Territories Scientist. As of 1 February, Karl Ekdahl is the Acting to be appointed during the spring.

6. ECDC’s Health Communication Knowledge Resource Centre (KRC) Management Board approves 7. EU tuberculosis reference laboratories engage in an ECDC’s 2010 work programme unprecedented initiative in TB control At its last meeting in November 2009, the priority should be given to its work on specific dis- Management Board approved ECDC’s Work ease areas from 2010 onwards (HIV/AIDS, tuberculo- HSC communicators face-to- Programme for 2010. The annual work programme sis, influenza, antimicrobial resistance, etc.) accord- face meeting details the activities to be developed in 2010 by ECDC ing to the strategic multi-annual programme. contributing to the implementation of its strategic The Management Board has thus adopted a set of ECDC workshop on migration multi-annual programme from 2007-2013, and of the long-term strategies for the six groups of specific and HIV missions set up in the Founding Regulation. diseases covered by ECDC. In 2010, after five years of operation, ECDC will reach Partnerships with the EU countries, institutions and 8. New publications its full capacity with a final increase of the budget by agencies, neighbouring countries and other external 20% (reaching €60 million) and 45 additional staff partners will continue to be one of the main drivers Upcoming events members. of all ECDC activities. As ECDC’s core public health functions (surveillance, The annual work programme is now available on scientific advice, preparedness and response, health ECDC’s website, where the detail of its activities can communication) should now be in place, a greater be consulted.

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Editorial by Acting Director Karl Ekdahl ECDC in a transition also sad as we are losing a charis- of guard takes place at a crucial matic leader who, from the start, point in time. ECDC will reach its phase has been ECDC personified—the full size when it comes to staff January 2010 marks the end of mother of ECDC. and funding in 2010-2011. We will an era in the life of ECDC. After But life goes on, and a new also enter into the second phase five years as Director, Zsuzsanna Director for ECDC is due to be of our Multiannual Strategic Plan Jakab left ECDC to become the appointed later this spring. In the 2007-2013 this year. Although I new WHO Regional Director for interim period I will be the Acting am well aware of the challenges Europe. For all of us in ECDC, this Director, supported by Chief that these months will present to is a time of mixed feelings. On the Scientist, Johan Giesecke, and ensure the Centre continues to one hand we are very happy—both the rest of the senior management deliver a high quality service to for her personally, but also for the team. Although no major changes its partners, I know that I can rely opportunities we now see for fur- will take place during the interim on a highly professional and moti- ther developing a long-term part- period, we will need to work hard vated staff and the full support of nership between ECDC and WHO to ensure a successful transition our Management Board and the Euro. On the other hand, we are to the new Director. The change Commission.

ECDC’s response to the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic— the story so far

not over. In the eastern parts of the EU, influenza activity rates are still elevated. Considerable pressure remains on ECDC to deliver surveillance information, produce and facilitate dissemination of scientific knowledge and communicate key messages to professionals and the general public. In addition, ECDC contributes to evaluations of what happened and what could have been done better regarding the pandemic and the response to events. All of this work will now be coordinated through a reinforced influenza program led by Professor Angus Nicoll, ECDC’s influenza programme coordinator. ECDC continues to communicate to EU citizens on appropriate pre- ventative measures (e.g. personal hygiene). Vaccination remains the most potent countermeasure for any human influenza. Given the significant risks to health from the pandemic, ECDC will continue to strongly advise all Europeans who are offered pandemic or seasonal ECDC has been working inten- work on the pandemic response pattern of infection and epidemi- vaccines to get vaccinated. sively since the onset of the 2009 while core activities were main- ology in Europe will continue to be influenza A(H1N1) pandemic (April tained. After nine months of reported in the Weekly Influenza For further information on vaccines, 2009) to fulfil its mandates on sur- operating within this crisis man- Surveillance Overview and in the please see the article ‘Pandemic veillance, scientific advice, com- agement structure, ECDC down- ECDC Executive Update on the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 vaccines in the munication and technical support. graded its alert level to 0 on 18 2009 Pandemic. In addition, ECDC European Union’ by K Johansen, A Nicoll, In order to mobilise the necessary January 2010. This decision was Influenza Weekly Digest is sent to BC Ciancio and P Kramarz, published in Eurosurveillance on 15 October 2009. internal resources, ECDC raised its based on the declining numbers stakeholders. internal activity level for a Public of 2009 pandemic influenza cases However, influenza pandemics For an ECDC view on what will happen next with the flu, click here. Health Event (PHE) to alert level 1 and deaths in most EU countries. are unpredictable—during the The ECDC Q&As on vaccines and (and for a short period to level 2). Following this decision, ECDC last one in 1968, the second win- vaccination for experts and the general This meant that a sufficient Daily Updates will no longer be ter was worse than the first—and public can be found on the ECDC 2009 number of staff within ECDC could produced. Developments in the the current influenza pandemic is pandemic influenza A(H1N1) web page.

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ECDC’s Crisis Communication ECDC-Eurovaccine 2009, the workshop for Advisory Forum first European Vaccination Members Conference organized by ECDC

On 18 February, ECDC organised a Crisis Communication workshop for Eurovaccine 2009, the first European conference on vaccination and the benefit of the Advisory Forum (AF) Members. The workshop pro- immunisation organised and fully funded by the European Centre vided a forum for fruitful discussions and exchanges with the speakers for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), was held in Stockholm, and participants who had the opportunity to share their 2009 influenza Sweden, on 11 December 2009. Topics addressed during the one-day (H1N1) pandemic experiences. Jason Gale, a leading journalist who conference included implementation of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) covered the 2009 pandemic for Bloomberg, allowed the participants pandemic vaccination and strategies for measles elimination in to ‘step inside his world’ to better understand how journalists work. Europe. The conference was webcasted live, thus allowing for a broad Professor Thomas Abraham of Hong-Kong University, who has been a international audience to follow the presentations and participate in Communications Advisor to WHO’s Director General of Communications discussions. The video stream of Eurovaccine 2009, as well as the during the 2009 pandemic, presented the theory behind crisis com- posters presented during the conference’s virtual poster session, will munication and the lesson learnt from the pandemic. Two additional be available on-demand for a period of less than six months after the speakers—Anders Bylund, Head of the international PR company conference. Eurovaccine 2009 focused on vaccination programmes, Burson-Marsteller’s European Crisis Practice and Ryszard Solski, an providing a platform for information and practice exchange between experienced PR professionals in Poland—complemented the workshop professionals working in the fields of regulation, policy, implementa- with theoretical and practical presentations. tion, monitoring and evaluation of immunisation activities in European countries. The next ECDC Eurovaccine conference will take place in 2010. For more information about the on-demand video stream of the conference and the virtual poster session at the Eurovaccine website: www.ecdc.europa.eu/eurovaccine ECDC marks TB Day On 24 March 2010, ECDC will mark World TB Day. In the days preceding World TB Day, ECDC will publish the ECDC/WHO Supporting countries’ Joint TB Surveillance Report for Europe. The key findings of this communication activities report will be presented during the event hosted by the Koch- ECDC communication toolkits aim to assist public health authorities in Metschinikow Forum to mark the the Member States develop strategies and campaigns to raise aware- centenary of the death of Robert ness on the prevention and control of specific communicable diseases. Koch. To go along with work already done, including the production of com- Despite progress towards driving munication toolkits for seasonal influenza (2007) and for Chikungunya TB rates down within EU borders, fever (2008), ECDC developed two additional communication materials challenges remain. In particular, in 2009: Robert Koch the percentage of patients with • Communication toolkit on tickborne diseases: Includes template a successful treatment outcome materials and key messages to inform different target audiences on remains below the international target of 85%. This represents not only tickborne diseases and preventive measures. The materials can be a major threat to TB control but a substandard approach to individual used and adapted by Member States if they so wish, according to case management. national strategies and needs. ECDC is bringing forward its commitment to the Framework Action • Communication guide on measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccina- Plan to fight TB in the EU by coordinating and promoting key activi- tion: Provides ideas on strategies for planning and implementing ties aiming at strengthening TB control. Specifically, a European national communication initiatives on MMR vaccination, as well as Reference Laboratory Network for Tuberculosis (ERLN-TB) has recently input on how to address specific obstacles to vaccination from a been launched engaging reference laboratory representatives from communications perspective. EU/EEA Member States and candidate countries in an important new Work on communication toolkits will continue in 2010 with the produc- initiative (read more on the ERLN-TB network on page 7). In addition, tion of a communication toolkit on food- and waterborne diseases, as ECDC is intensifying efforts to optimise prevention and control of TB well as further development of communication materials focusing on drug resistance by analysing the current gaps in case management vaccination issues. of TB patients as well as enhancing multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB For more information on ECDC’s communication toolkits, please contact the Knowledge and Resource Centre on Health Communication: [email protected] surveillance.

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Programme presentation: Emerging and vectorborne diseases (EVD)

Vectorborne diseases rely on organisms (vec- Travel-related diseases: Routine activities of the EVD programme tors) such as mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies or include the development of risk assessments animal reservoirs (e.g. rodents) for transmis- • Recommend on ECDC’s role in travel for emerging or re-emerging diseases. They are sion from one host to the next. Many of them medicine. conducted in collaboration with the laboratory are considered to be emerging infectious Vectorborne diseases: network in Europe and specific laboratories in diseases. This is a broader category gener- Asia, Africa, and North America depending on ally referring to new diseases arising through • Define priorities for prevention and control, needs. In addition, there is close collaboration evolution or changes in existing pathogens, based on EU-wide risk assessments. with WHO. The programme works on the man- previously unrecognised diseases, or known • Assess the needs for vector surveillance and agement of three networks’ activities: ENIVD. diseases that spread to new geographic areas identify priorities for action. CLNR, a collaborative network of European or new populations. As a result, the programme • Assess specific needs regarding EU Member Laboratories for Outbreak Assistance and on emerging and vectorborne diseases (EVD) States’ Overseas Territories. Support co-ordinated by the European Network focuses on a wide range of pathogens and Emerging and re-emerging for Diagnostics of ‘Imported’ Viral Diseases diseases. The main diseases specifically cov- (ENIVD); EuroTravNet, the European Travel ered include the following: Chikungunya fever, diseases: Medicine Network; and the Network of medi- dengue, hantavirus infections, Lyme disease, • Ensure full support to outbreak assistance cal entomologists and public health experts malaria, plague, Q-fever, severe acute respira- teams in terms of diagnostic capacity, sci- (VBORNET). All documents produced by the net- tory syndrome (SARS), tickborne encephalitis, entific updates, surveillance systems etc. works are available on ECDC’s website (ecdc. tularaemia, viral haemorrhagic fevers, West • Identify the diagnostic laboratory capacity in europa.eu). Nile fever and yellow fever. Europe. In 2009, the programme led a number of more The EVD programme aims to produce a range specific activities, including a significant meet- of timely and topical assessments of the risks Other diseases: ing on West Nile (WN) fever in April (see report that emerging and vectorborne diseases pose • Provide epidemiologic updates and on ECDC’s website) and conducted an evalua- to EU citizens. Current objectives include the factsheets on the current situation in Europe. tion of the risks linked to vectorborne diseases following: in Malta. The EVD programme also engaged with the Member States’ Overseas Countries

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and Territories to respond to their specific November, experts will gather in Stockholm to Lead by Herve Zeller, the EVD programme team needs (see page 5). At the end of 2009, the evaluate the current state of tickborne diseases works in close collaboration with colleagues in outbreak of Q fever in the Netherlands empha- in Europe and prepare a strategy that includes the European Commission, EU Member States, sised the necessity for the EVD programme to key objectives. More specific activities include relevant international organisations such as strengthen and formalise its collaboration with the follow-up of the 2009 West Nile meeting the WHO, and also with experts from various veterinarian colleagues specialising in public with the drafting of a risk assessment guide institutes, universities, research projects and health. Progress in this area will be pursued in to support Member States in the evaluation public health networks across the EU. Further, 2010, particularly through a reinforced coop- and planning (e.g. implementation of blood ECDC aims to actively involve European experts eration with European Food Safety Authority products measures) related to this pathogen. in international outbreak investigations as a (EFSA). With the same goal of supporting the Member way to maintain field expertise. States, the programme will be involved in EVD contributes to a strengthening of EU-wide This year the programme plans to focus on the publication of tool kits (see article page preparedness and response capabilities by tickborne diseases, in particular Lyme dis- 7). Diseases linked to climate change will be providing Member States with access to exper- ease, tickborne encephalitis and rickettsiosis. the focus of three EU presidencies (Spain and tise, a wide range of decision-support tools and A two-year project will aim at gathering epide- Belgium in 2010, Hungary in 2011). Last but the latest scientific knowledge. miological information at the EU level, notwith- not least, the EVD programme will also work standing the fact that many of these diseases on information for travellers and the yellow For more information on the programme, are not subject to compulsory reporting . In a fever cartography with a WHO meeting on ECDC visit us on www.ecdc.europa.eu, second step, these assessments will attempt premises in March 2010. to determine the burden of these diseases. In

Annual HIV and STI surveillance networks back-to-back meetings

Over 9–11 December 2009, experts gathered laboratory survey. Technical consultations with at ECDC for the annual meetings of both the ECDC’s TESSy database team were offered to STI surveillance network and the HIV/AIDS sur- facilitate STI data submissions. The meeting veillance network. On 10 December, a scien- proved to be a good platform to discuss the tific seminar on HIV and STI in men who have current status of STIs and of ongoing outbreaks sex with men (MSM) brought all the STI and of STIs in MSM. HIV/AIDS experts from 47 of HIV experts together. On this occasion, Kevin the 53 countries in the WHO European Region Fenton, director of the National Center for HIV/ discussed the HIV/AIDS surveillance frame- AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention work, the 2008 HIV/AIDS data collection proc- (NCHHSTP) at US CDC delivered a keynote ess and the annual report. Feedback from coun- speech. The STI experts, including epidemi- tries was obtained with respect to new and ologists and microbiologists, reviewed the new ongoing related projects, like HIV incidence STI surveillance framework as well as plans on and prevalence estimates. gonococci resistance surveillance and the STI

ECDC and the European Overseas Countries and Territories

ECDC’s mandate is to strengthen the capac- used by ECDC to develop a strategy on how to ity of the European Union for the prevention support the OCTs in terms of communicable and control of infectious diseases, not only disease prevention, detection and control. The in the continental Member States but also in strategy proposal will be discussed by tech- their 21 Overseas Countries and Territories nical experts and decision-makers from the (OCTs)*. Since 2008 ECDC, together with the OCTs, the Member States, the Commission Health Protection Agency (UK), the Institut and other relevant organisations at a meet- de Veille Sanitaire (France), the National ing to be held in Stockholm over 25–26 March Institute for Public Health and the Environment 2010. In order to reinforce the European OCTs’ (Netherlands), and the Greenland Medical capacities without any further delays, ECDC is Office of Health (Denmark), has been work- organising the first session of a course on tech- ing to identify the specific needs of the OCT nical aspects of outbreak investigation. This in terms of communicable disease preven- course will be delivered jointly by ECDC and Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin tion and control, as well as to identify ECDC’s the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, South Georgian and South Sandwich Islands, role in supporting these potential needs. This from 1–5 March in Trinidad and Tobago for the Saint Helena, Turks and Caicos Islands), six are French was followed by a meeting with representa- European OCT of the Caribbean region. (French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, tives from the OCTs and the Member States in Mayotte, New Caledonia, St Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis London from 5 to 6 October 2009 to identify and Futuna), two are Dutch (Aruba and the Netherland * A particular part of the EU is represented by the Antilles) and one is Danish (Greenland). OCT needs, viewpoints and expectations from 21 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT): 12 of ECDC. The outcome of this meeting is being these are British (Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic www.ecdc.europa.eu 5 Insight no11 | January–March 2010 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

ECDC’s Health Communication Knowledge and Resource Centre (KRC)

Supporting Member States by providing them in communication activities in the Member evidence-based information is at the heart of States. In the long-term, the website will ECDC’s mission. To perform this task, ECDC has include a database of health communication been developing a number of tools and struc- resources with the objective of compiling infec- tures in the recent years. Within the realm of tious disease-related health communication health communication, ECDC’s Knowledge materials and programs. This will be done to Resource Centre (KRC) intends to be one of facilitate the sharing of knowledge between these. Hosted in the Health Communication organisations undertaking health communi- Unit with a team lead by Professor Paulo cation activities in EU Member States, EEA/ Moreira, Deputy Head of the Unit, the ECDC’s EFTA or candidate countries. Visitors to the KRC has three main objectives: From left to right (standing): Andrea Würz, Paulo Moreira, pages will be offered updates on recent sci- Susanne Freudenberg; (seated) Sarah Earnshaw, Piotr 1) To provide current and evidence-based infor- Wysocki. entific articles on health communication on a mation on health communication and related regular basis. As many individuals from the topics, with a particular focus on infectious target audience may not have access to sci- diseases in the European region. communication activities in EU Member States entific articles or the time to review them, the 2) To facilitate the sharing of good practices and EEA/EFTA countries including public ECDC KRC team will distil relevant research into and lessons learnt from health communica- health decision makers, individuals/organisa- short texts. The website will also be a platform tion activities in EU Member States and EEA/ tions working specifically with communicable to announce related upcoming events. Last but EFTA countries. disease-related health communication, and not least, the website may also include inter- 3) To promote and facilitate health communica- healthcare professionals. active structures to allow public health pro- tion related skills for EU Member States and Within ECDC’s portal, the Health fessionals to post queries or questions about EEA/EFTA public health professionals. Communication KRC will soon launch a web- health communication related topics. While anyone will be able to access and use site that will allow more visibility for health this resource, the target audience will be pub- communication outputs and more interaction for more information, contact the HCU-KRC team here: lic health professionals involved in health with public health professionals involved [email protected]

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EU tuberculosis reference ECDC workshop on migration laboratories engage in an and HIV unprecedented initiative in TB control

ECDC hosted the launch of the European Reference Laboratory Network for Tuberculosis (ERLN-TB) on 25 January 2010. The ECDC TB team provided evidence to support the need for a TB laboratory network in the EU. Recognising laboratory function as one of the pillars of optimal of the future needs regarding tuberculosis control, the net- training and sharing of good work will aim at strengthening practices. Furthermore, the goal the ability to diagnose the dis- of developing a cadre of early ease in line with the objectives career TB Laboratory Support of the Framework action plan experts will be initiated to ensure to fight tuberculosis in the EU, sustainability of TB expertise the ultimate goal of which is to within the EU. The meeting also eliminate TB. The ERLN-TB will revealed potential synergies with pursue a work plan that focuses the Global Laboratory Initiative on capacity building, quality (GLI), whose aims and activities assurance, scientific advice and were presented to the ERLN-TB laboratory support. In 2010, one network by Dr. Christopher Gilpin of the main deliverables will be (GLI representative). With sup- an evidence based ‘handbook’ port from the ECDC-contracted on methods and practices in TB consortium, led by the Health reference laboratories. External Protection Agency, the ECDC is quality assurance activities will fully engaged in the coordination be used to inform the network of the ERLN-TB.

In 2010, ECDC intends to further propose epidemiological and deepen its work on migration and behavioural indicators to be HIV. Last year, at the Council’s monitored on a European scale. Health Security Committee request, ECDC published the fol- 2. HIV testing and counselling lowing three reports, all of which inventory of good practices communicators’ network form the basis of the ECDC Report in migrant populations & eth- on Migration and Infectious nic minorities in the EU/EFTA face-to-face meeting Diseases: Background Note to countries. The purpose of this the ECDC Report on migration project is to identify good HIV and infectious diseases in the EU; testing practices targeting The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in migrant populations, and pro- pandemic put a lot of pressure migrant communities and ethnic pose a framework on how to on officials in charge of health minorities in EU/EEA countries increase the uptake of HIV test- communication across Europe and Access to HIV prevention, ing in migrant populations and and was instrumental in empha- treatment and care for migrant ethnic minorities in the EU. sising the necessity to increase populations in the EU/EEA coun- Over 1–2 March, ECDC is hosting and improve cooperation and tries. In addition to these reports a workshop on migration and HIV information exchange at the related to HIV, ECDC launched two in Stockholm. Its aims include the EU level. Citizens can now eas- offered the opportunity to dis- additional projects in the autumn following: to present the initia- ily get information from media cuss current communication chal- of 2009: tives led by ECDC on health and in countries other than their lenges and solutions. A number 1. Improving HIV data comparabil- migration; to improve synergies own and it is therefore desir- of countries presented their ity in migrant populations and between the two ongoing ECDC able to ensure the coherence of experience on specific issues ethnic minorities in the EU/EFTA projects as well as with other ini- messages across the 27 EU and (e.g. Ireland on the vaccination of countries. The purpose of this tiatives in the EU; and to draw on three EEA countries. In order to pregnant women and Sweden on project is to improve HIV data participants’ expertise and pro- meet this challenge and carry on campaigns using social media). comparability by developing vide the opportunity to give input building a strong partnership, Exchanges were enriched by standardised ways of recording on the work carried out by the two the Health Security Committee the presence of external stake- data with regards to HIV and project teams. (HSC) communicators’ network holders like WHO, the Standing migrant populations. The idea held a face-to-face meeting over Committee of European Doctors is to document the definitions For more information, please contact 16–17 December in Luxembourg. (CPME) and the European and indicators of migration and [email protected] Participants from 25 EU and EEA Community Pharmacists (PGEU). mobility in the EU, identify good countries attended and were data collection practices and to

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New publications Upcoming events

HIV/AIDS surveillance in Europe 2008 8–14.03.2010 HIV infection remains a major public health concern in Europe. In 2008, EPIS meeting, ECDC, Stockholm the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection reported was 51 600, an increase from the 48 892 reported for 2007. Of those reported 9–10.03.2010 TQ-AF-10-001-EN-C Developing Health Communication Research in the EU: a focus in 2008, 25 656 were in EU and EEA countries. This report, prepared on Communicable Diseases, ECDC, Stockholm jointly with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, presents data on HIV and AIDS for the WHO European Region, as well as EU and EEA coun- 10–12.03.2010 tries. Analyses are provided for the EU and EEA region and also by Fifth European Ministerial Conference on Environment and geographical area of the WHO European Region (West, Centre, East). Health, Parma

Technical Report: Effectiveness of behavioural and psychosocial 15.03.2010 HIV/STI prevention interventions for MSM in Europe Simulation exercise experts meeting on developments of simulation exercise compendium, ECDC, Stockholm In Europe, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the popu- lation most affected by HIV, and the rate of infection is increasing 16–17.03.2010 faster among MSM than among other populations. Behavioural and Expert workshop and steering group meeting in Burden of psychosocial prevention with the goal of limiting sexual risk behav- Disease, ECDC, Stockholm iours remain central to the efforts to decrease sexual HIV/STI trans- missions among MSM. This report consists of a systematic review 17–19.03.2010 that updates the current knowledge base about HIV/STI preventive 18th Management Board meeting, ECDC, Stockholm interventions targeted at MSM in Europe. It summarises and assesses the effectiveness of these interventions and identifies intervention 23–24.03.2010 EWGLINET TESSy training, ECDC, Stockholm characteristics associated with effectiveness, as well as potential gaps in the evidence. 24.03.2010 Koch-Metschinikow Forum, Berlin – Launch of ECDC/WHO Euro Guidance: Scientific panel on childhood immunisation schedule: joint TB surveillance report Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination 24–25.03.2010 Current childhood vaccination schedules are the result of historical tra- ECDC National Microbiology Focal Points meeting, ECDC, dition, compliance with provision of health services, and national vac- Stockholm cine registration. They have been designed based on different needs related to how healthcare and education systems are organised at 25–26.03.2010 the national level. During the last decade, the availability of new com- Development of strategy on ECDC’s role in the European OCT bined vaccine products registered at the EU level has allowed some meeting, ECDC, Stockholm convergence of the use of those vaccines. The current schedules for vaccination of those younger than 24 months of age in Europe with 29-30.03.2010 acellular pertussis-containing vaccines can be divided into a few dis- Field epidemiology manual – wiki, kick off workshop, ECDC, tinct groups (variants of 3-5-11, 2-3-4, 2-4-6 months). There is greater Stockholm variation in the number of booster doses for children at school age or 12.04.2010 during adolescence. In order to facilitate the scientific discussion on Vulnerability in HIV EU Presidency Conference, Spain such issue, ECDC asked a panel of experts for their scientific opinion on the use of the DTP vaccine. 12–16.04.2010 Training on detection and assessment of public health threats/ Risk assessment guidelines for diseases transmitted on aircraft— events meeting, ECDC, Stockholm Part 2: Operational guidelines for assisting the evaluation of risk for disease transmission 21–22.04.2010 Meeting of National AMR Focal Points and Communication In June 2009, EDC convened a technical expert consultation that Specialists, ECDC, Stockholm focused on tuberculosis, new emerging airborne diseases (e.g. SARS) and meningococcal infections. This consultation was the second of a 19–23.04.2010 two-part process intended to assist national authorities in EU Member EPIET Times series analysis module, Brussels States in the assessment of risks associated with the transmission of various infectious agents on board airplanes. The first part contains 22.04.2010 more general guidelines and was published as the ECDC Technical Informal meeting of the EU Health Ministries, Madrid Report, ‘Risk assessment guidelines for diseases transmitted on 24.04–1.05.2010 aircraft’. European Immunization Week

For more information: [email protected] 5–6.05.2010 22nd Advisory Forum meeting, ECDC, Stockholm

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) ECDC Insight is a newsletter published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention Postal address: ECDC, 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden and Control (ECDC), Stockholm. Any Item may be reproduced for personal use or non- Visiting address: Tomtebodavägen 11a, Solna, Sweden commercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged. For free subscriptions, please specify your requirements via e‑mail: Phone +46 (0)8 58 60 1000 [email protected] Fax +46 (0)8 58 60 1001 Official publisher : ECDC • Director: K. Ekdahl • Editor: I. Hubert • All photos © ECDC, www.ecdc.europa.eu except: © istockphoto.com p.3, p.4, p.5, p.6, p.7• Printed in Belgium • ISSN: 1830- An agency of the European Union 7965 • Printed on chlorine-free paper www.europa.eu © European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

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