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Health Brief: DG SANTE’s to-do list

Welcome to EURACTIV’s very first Health Brief! In this first edition, we spoke to the European Commission's director-general for health and food safety, Sandra Gallina, to find out what is in store this autumn when it comes to health.

COVID cases to soar in children but schools should stay open – EU health agency

The benefits of children attending school outweigh the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, although cases in children are set to soar in the autumn, said a new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), published on Thursday (8 July).

COVID-19 plasma therapy comes handy either way, EU Commission says

Even though the efficiency of plasma therapies against COVID-19 are not yet demonstrated, increasing Europe's blood collection capacity will contribute to address chronic shortages, the European Commission has said.

Spread of COVID in minks could hamper potential vaccine, warns EU disease centre

The spread of COVID variants via mink farms could compromise the efficacy of a vaccine, according to a rapid risk assessment published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on Thursday (12 November), which offered up a series of recommendations for dealing with the outbreak.

EU health body warns against shortening COVID quarantine as cases spike

COVID-19 infections in Europe are getting close to the levels seen in March when the outbreak began its peak phase there, the head of the EU's public health agency said on Wednesday (2 September), warning governments not to reduce the 14-day quarantine for people infected.

Resurgence of COVID-19 observed in some EU countries, says EU disease centre

Several European countries have reported a resurgence of cases or large localised outbreaks of COVID-19, and there is still 'community transmission' in most EU/EEA countries, according to a report released on Thursday (2 June). The report called for continued vigilance despite noting decreasing trends in incidence across Europe overall.

Has COVID-19 increased the threat of bioterrorism in Europe?

As the global struggle to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerability of global societies to biological threats, both natural and manmade, experts have warned of a potential increase in the use of biological weapons, like viruses or bacteria, in a post-coronavirus world.

AMR: Foodborne superbugs harder to beat, EU agencies say

Foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. Coli are getting harder to treat as they are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics used to beat them, two EU agencies warned in a report published on Tuesday (3 March).

EU lagging far behind on flu jab coverage goal

No EU country has yet reached the 75% target for seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rates among elderly people and at-risk groups, which was set by the EU Council in 2009.

ECDC: Legionella outbreak may be reduced with appropriate controls

A new community outbreak of Legionella in Belgium's Flanders region renewed public attention to the so-called Legionnaires' disease, which is increasing in the EU, according to the EU agency for infectious diseases control.

EFSA boss: Next time we should also assess consequences without glyphosate

The next re-authorisation process for the controversial glyphosate weedkiller should also include an assessment of a potential ban of the substance in terms of food availability, biodiversity and farmers’ income, Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.

Measles cases increase in the EU in April, significant outbreaks ongoing, new figures show

Measles cases continue to increase in a number of EU/EEA countries according to the most recent measles data collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) through epidemic intelligence and published in the Communicable Diseases Threats Report (CDTR) today (22 May).

MEP: Vaccination is a lifelong process, not only for children

Parents have a particular responsibility to protect their children, as they are more vulnerable to infections, but vaccination should be seen as a lifelong approach that applies to adults too, centre-right MEP Renate Sommer told EURACTIV.com.

Salmonella on the rise again, EU officials admit

The incidence of Salmonella in humans was almost halved between 2004 and 2009 but new figures show that it has re-appeared, causing worries for food producers and health workers, but also for EU policymakers.

Antibiotic resistance is the best case for ‘more Europe’

No country alone can tackle antimicrobial resistance and therefore an effective EU response is needed, backed up by policies and funds, writes Nina Renshaw.

Romania cuts vaccine exports as measles outbreak takes hold

The European Commission has endorsed Romania’s decision to temporarily suspend exports of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to the rest of the EU, following a serious measles outbreak and dwindling medical stocks. EURACTIV Romania reports.

Study: One in seven with HIV in Europe unaware of infection

One in seven people with HIV in Europe is unaware of their infection, the EU and World Health Organization reported Tuesday (29 November) as 2015 marked another record year for new HIV cases in the region.

Greece has the highest rate of flu deaths in Europe

Greece has experienced more deaths by population from flu than any other European country this year, according to data collected by the European Center for Disease Prevention (ECDC) and published in Greece by the Athens Medical Association (ISA).

Experts warn EU countries of potential Chikungunya spread

EU public health experts have advised European countries to take preventative measures to avoid the spread of the Chikungunya virus beyond its initial focus in Italy, as the presence of the mosquito species that spreads the virus were reported in the French region of Var.

Commission proposes establishment of disease prevention centre

To be able to respond faster to health threats, such as SARS, and to increase preparedness for a possible bio-terrorist attack, the Commission has proposed the creation of a new agency.