TY - JOUR T1 - A comparison of COVID-19 incidence rates across six European countries in 2021. JF - Euro Surveill Y1 - 2023 A1 - Michael Padget A1 - Pauline Adam A1 - Marina Dorfmuller A1 - Clara Blondel A1 - Ines Campos-Matos A1 - Myriam Fayad A1 - Alberto Mateo-Urdiales A1 - David Mesher A1 - Adriana Pistol A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Flavia Riccardo A1 - Maximilian Riess A1 - Rusu, Lavinia Cipriana A1 - Didier Che A1 - Bruno Coignard KW - COVID-19 KW - Europe KW - Humans KW - incidence KW - ITALY KW - Romania AB -

International comparisons of COVID-19 incidence rates have helped gain insights into the characteristics of the disease, benchmark disease impact, shape public health measures and inform potential travel restrictions and border control measures. However, these comparisons may be biased by differences in COVID-19 surveillance systems and approaches to reporting in each country. To better understand these differences and their impact on incidence comparisons, we collected data on surveillance systems from six European countries: Belgium, England, France, Italy, Romania and Sweden. Data collected included: target testing populations, access to testing, case definitions, data entry and management and statistical approaches to incidence calculation. Average testing, incidence and contextual data were also collected. Data represented the surveillance systems as they were in mid-May 2021. Overall, important differences between surveillance systems were detected. Results showed wide variations in testing rates, access to free testing and the types of tests recorded in national databases, which may substantially limit incidence comparability. By systematically including testing information when comparing incidence rates, these comparisons may be greatly improved. New indicators incorporating testing or existing indicators such as death or hospitalisation will be important to improving international comparisons.

VL - 28 CP - 40 M3 - 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.40.2300088 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - S. Leen A1 - Inne Nauwelaers A1 - Sanne Terryn KW - Rabies PB - Sciensano CY - Brussels, Belgium ER - TY - Generic T1 - Knowledge, perceptions and practices related to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses: survey in Belgium, 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Valeska Laisnez A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Ruben Brondeel A1 - Ayat Abourashed A1 - Pauline de Best A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Javiera Rebolledo KW - Health Belief Model KW - KNOWLEDGE KW - Mosquitoes KW - Perception KW - Vector Borne Diseases AB -

Background

Effective preparedness for emerging mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) relies on citizens having good knowledge and taking appropriate preventive measures. We assessed current knowledge, perceptions and practices related to mosquitoes and MBVs among adults in Belgium to guide future health promotion activities.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we conducted an online survey among adults recruited via social media (One Health PACT’s MosquitoWise survey using the Health Belief Model). We included questions on demographic variables;  knowledge;  perceptions, self-efficacy and cues to actions (Likert scales); and  preventive measures. We assigned knowledge levels (low, medium or high depending on number of correct answers) and scores for perceptions, self-efficacy, cues to action and preventive measures.

Results

We included 776 participants (62% females), of which 50% had a medium and 40% a high knowledge level. Participants scored high on questions related to mosquito ecology but lower on MBVs. Only 19% of participants correctly identified mosquitoes among pictures of insects.

Participants perceived the severity of MBVs as high (mean score 6.0/7.0), but their susceptibility to MBVs and mosquitoes lower (4.3/7.0). Participants were most motivated to take preventive measures upon observing mosquitoes in and around the house (cues to action, 5.3/7.0). Participants had limited confidence in finding information on preventive measures and in recognizing and removing breeding sites (self-efficacy, 4.8/7.0). Ninety-seven percent of participants reported implementing at least one preventive measure, mainly to prevent bites (95%).

Conclusions

Together with the recent findings of tiger mosquitoes in Belgium, based on our study results we recommend to improve knowledge about MBVs and awareness about possible transmission in Belgium in the future. Information on recognizing mosquitoes and removing breeding sites should be easy to find.

JF - ESCAIDE PB - ECDC CY - Barcelona, Spain ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Monitoring of Exotic Mosquitoes in Belgium: Annual report 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Isra Deblauwe A1 - Anna Schneider A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Ruth Müller A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Wim Van Bortel ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Monitoring van exotische muggen in België (MEMO+): Samenvatting van de resultaten van de surveillance in 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Isra Deblauwe A1 - Anna Schneider A1 - Ruth Müller A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Wim Van Bortel A1 - Tinne Lernout KW - MEMO+ KW - muggensurveillance KW - tijgermug ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance des moustiques exotiques en Belgique (MEMO+): Résumé des résultats de la surveillance en 2022. Y1 - 2023 A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Isra Deblauwe A1 - Anna Schneider A1 - Ruth Müller A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Wim Van Bortel A1 - Tinne Lernout ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaaroverzicht 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Geebelen, Laurence A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaaroverzicht 2019-2021 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Geebelen, Laurence A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Synthèse annuelle 2022 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Geebelen, Laurence A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Synthèse annuelle 2019-2021 Y1 - 2023 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Geebelen, Laurence A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani ER - TY - JOUR T1 - COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian nursing homes: results of a surveillance conducted between April and December 2020 JF - Archives of Public Health Y1 - 2022 A1 - Eline Vandael A1 - Katrien Latour A1 - Esma Islamaj A1 - Laura Int Panis A1 - Milena Callies A1 - Freek Haarhuis A1 - Kristiaan Proesmans A1 - Brecht Devleesschauwer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Alice Hannecart A1 - Romain Mahieu A1 - Louise De Viron A1 - Etienne De Clercq A1 - Anne Kongs A1 - Naïma Hammami A1 - Jean-Marc François A1 - Dominique Dubourg A1 - Sarah Henz A1 - Boudewijn Catry A1 - Sara Dequeker AB -

BACKGROUND: In Belgium, the first COVID-19 death was reported on 10 March 2020. Nursing home (NH) residents are particularly vulnerable for COVID-19, making it essential to follow-up the spread of COVID-19 in this setting. This manuscript describes the methodology of surveillance and epidemiology of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian NHs.

METHODS: A COVID-19 surveillance in all Belgian NHs (n = 1542) was set up by the regional health authorities and Sciensano. Aggregated data on possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and case-based data on deaths were reported by NHs at least once a week. The study period covered April-December 2020. Weekly incidence/prevalence data were calculated per 1000 residents or staff members.

RESULTS: This surveillance has been launched within 14 days after the first COVID-19 death in Belgium. Automatic data cleaning was installed using different validation rules. More than 99% of NHs participated at least once, with a median weekly participation rate of 95%. The cumulative incidence of possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents was 206/1000 in the first wave and 367/1000 in the second wave. Most NHs (82%) reported cases in both waves and 74% registered ≥10 possible/confirmed cases among residents at one point in time. In 51% of NHs, at least 10% of staff was absent due to COVID-19 at one point. Between 11 March 2020 and 3 January 2021, 11,329 COVID-19 deaths among NH residents were reported, comprising 57% of all COVID-19 deaths in Belgium in that period.

CONCLUSIONS: This surveillance was crucial in mapping COVID-19 in this vulnerable setting and guiding public health interventions, despite limitations of aggregated data and necessary changes in protocol over time. Belgian NHs were severely hit by COVID-19 with many fatal cases. The measure of not allowing visitors, implemented in the beginning of the pandemic, could not avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the NHs during the first wave. The virus was probably often introduced by staff. Once the virus was introduced, it was difficult to prevent healthcare-associated outbreaks. Although, in contrast to the first wave, personal protective equipment was available in the second wave, again a high number of cases were reported.

VL - 80 CP - 1 M3 - 10.1186/s13690-022-00794-6 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van antrax – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Marcella Mori ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van chikungunya – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van gele koorts - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van malaria - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van pest – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Marcella Mori ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2019 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2020 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van West-Nile koorts - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van zika - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la dengue – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la fièvre jaune - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la fièvre West Nile - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la maladie du charbon – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Marcella Mori ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la Peste – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Marcella Mori ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2019 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2020 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - S. Leen A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du chikungunya – 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du paludisme - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du Zika - 2019-2021 Y1 - 2022 A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Establishing an ad hoc COVID-19 mortality surveillance during the first epidemic wave in Belgium, 1 March to 21 June 2020 JF - Eurosurveillance Y1 - 2021 A1 - Françoise Renard A1 - Aline Scohy A1 - Johan Van der Heyden A1 - Ilse Peeters A1 - Sara Dequeker A1 - Eline Vandael A1 - Nina Van Goethem A1 - Dominique Dubourg A1 - Louise De Viron A1 - Anne Kongs A1 - Naïma Hammami A1 - Brecht Devleesschauwer A1 - André Sasse A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Natalia Bustos Sierra AB -

Background : COVID-19-related mortality in Belgium has drawn attention for two reasons: its high level, and a good completeness in reporting of deaths. An ad hoc surveillance was established to register COVID-19 death numbers in hospitals, long-term care facilities (LTCF) and the community. Belgium adopted broad inclusion criteria for the COVID-19 death notifications, also including possible cases, resulting in a robust correlation between COVID-19 and all-cause mortality.

Aim : To document and assess the COVID-19 mortality surveillance in Belgium.

Methods : We described the content and data flows of the registration and we assessed the situation as of 21 June 2020, 103 days after the first death attributable to COVID-19 in Belgium. We calculated the participation rate, the notification delay, the percentage of error detected, and the results of additional investigations.

Results : The participation rate was 100% for hospitals and 83% for nursing homes. Of all deaths, 85% were recorded within 2 calendar days: 11% within the same day, 41% after 1 day and 33% after 2 days, with a quicker notification in hospitals than in LTCF. Corrections of detected errors reduced the death toll by 5%.

Conclusion : Belgium implemented a rather complete surveillance of COVID-19 mortality, on account of a rapid investment of the hospitals and LTCF. LTCF could build on past experience of previous surveys and surveillance activities. The adoption of an extended definition of ‘COVID-19-related deaths’ in a context of limited testing capacity has provided timely information about the severity of the epidemic.

VL - 26 CP - 48 M3 - 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001402 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - One year of laboratory-based COVID-19 surveillance system in Belgium: main indicators and performance of the laboratories (March 2020-21). JF - Arch Public Health Y1 - 2021 A1 - Marjan Meurisse A1 - Adrien Lajot A1 - Yves Dupont A1 - Marie Lesenfants A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Mathias Leroy A1 - Arnaud Capron A1 - Johan Van Bussel A1 - Sophie Quoilin A1 - Emmanuel André A1 - Kaat Kehoe A1 - Luc Waumans A1 - Van Acker, Jos A1 - Vandenberg, Olivier A1 - Van den Wijngaert, Sigi A1 - Ann Verdonck A1 - Lize Cuypers A1 - Dieter Van Cauteren KW - Belgium; COVID-19; Laboratory-based surveillance; SARS-CoV-2 AB -

BACKGROUND: With the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an existing national laboratory-based surveillance system was adapted to daily monitor the epidemiological situation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Belgium by following the number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, the number of performed tests and the positivity ratio. We present these main indicators of the surveillance over a one-year period as well as the impact of the performance of the laboratories, regarding speed of processing the samples and reporting results, for surveillance.

METHODS: We describe the evolution of test capacity, testing strategy and the data collection methods during the first year of the epidemic in Belgium.

RESULTS: Between the 1 of March 2020 and the 28 of February 2021, 9,487,470 tests and 773,078 COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases were reported. Two epidemic waves occurred, with a peak in April and October 2020. The capacity and performance of the laboratories improved continuously during 2020 resulting in a high level performance. Since the end of November 2020 90 to 95% of the test results are reported at the latest the day after sampling was performed.

CONCLUSIONS: Thanks to the effort of all laboratories a performant exhaustive national laboratory-based surveillance system to monitor the epidemiological situation of SARS-CoV-2 was set up in Belgium in 2020. On top of expanding the number of laboratories performing diagnostics and significantly increasing the test capacity in Belgium, turnaround times between sampling and testing as well as reporting were optimized over the first year of this pandemic.

VL - 79 CP - 1 M3 - 10.1186/s13690-021-00704-2 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - infections liées aux aliments et à l'eau, synthèse épidémiologique, data 2017-2018 Y1 - 2020 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Dieter Van Cauteren A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Rapid establishment of a national surveillance of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Belgium JF - Archives of Public Health Y1 - 2020 A1 - Nina Van Goethem A1 - Aline Vilain A1 - Chloé Wyndham-Thomas A1 - Jessika Deblonde A1 - Nathalie Bossuyt A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Sophie Quoilin A1 - Vincent Melis A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven VL - 78 CP - 1 M3 - 10.1186/s13690-020-00505-z ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Voedsel-en watergerelateerde infectieziekten, epidemiologische verslag, data 2017-2018 Y1 - 2020 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Dieter Van Cauteren A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van malaria - 2018 Y1 - 2019 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2018 Y1 - 2019 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - JOUR T1 - The health and economic impact of acute gastroenteritis in Belgium, 2010-2014 JF - Epidemiol Infect Y1 - 2019 A1 - Theofilos Papadopoulos A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Boudewijn Catry A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Laure Mortgat A1 - Pavlos Mamouris A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Bert Vaes A1 - Dieter Van Cauteren A1 - Johan Van der Heyden A1 - Philippe Beutels A1 - Brecht Devleesschauwer KW - burden of disease KW - cost-of-illness KW - Disability-Adjusted Life Years KW - Gastroenteritis AB -

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a common condition in both low- and high-income countries. In Belgium, however, there is currently a lack of information on the societal health and economic impact of AGE. We conducted a retrospective study using mortality and cause-of-death data, hospital data, primary care data, health interview survey data and other published data. We estimated the burden of illness during a 5-year period (2010-2014) in Belgium in terms of deaths, patients admitted to hospitals, patients consulting their general practitioner (GP) and cases occurring in the community. We further quantified the health impact in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and the economic impact in terms of cost-of-illness estimates. We estimated 343 deaths, 27 707 hospitalised patients, 464 222 GP consultations and 10 058 741 episodes occurring in the community (0.91 cases/person) on average per year. AGE was associated with 11 855 DALYs per year (107 DALY per 100 000 persons). The economic burden was estimated to represent direct costs of €112 million, indirect costs of €927 million (90% of the total costs) and an average total cost of €103 per case and €94 per person. AGE results in a substantial health and economic impact in Belgium, justifying continued mitigation efforts.

VL - 147 M3 - 10.1017/S095026881900044X ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Imported malaria and artemisinin-based combination therapy failure in travellers returning to Belgium: A retrospective study. JF - Travel Med Infect Dis Y1 - 2019 A1 - Eduard Rovira-Vallbona A1 - Bottieau, Emmanuel A1 - Pieter Guetens A1 - Jacob Verschueren A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Nulens, Eric A1 - Jeroen Van der Hilst A1 - Jan Clerinx A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan A1 - Anna Rosanas-Urgell AB -

BACKGROUND: Malaria (Plasmodium spp) remains a top cause of travel-associated morbidity among European residents. Here, we describe recent trends of imported malaria to Belgium and characterize the first cases of P.falciparum failure to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).

METHODS: National surveillance data and registers from national reference laboratory were used to investigate malaria cases and ACT failures in the past 20 years. Recurrent infections were confirmed by pfmsp genotyping and polymorphisms in drug resistance-associated genes pfk13, pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfpm2, pfap2mu and pfubp1 were determined by sequencing or quantitative PCR.

RESULTS: Annual malaria cases steadily increased in the last decade, reaching 428 in 2017 (all species). An estimated 15% of P.falciparum cases were severe. Between 2014 and 2017, 727 P.falciparum cases were reported and six non-immune travellers presented late recurrence. Five had hyperparasitaemia and/or signs of severe malaria at initial consultation. No mutations in ACT drug resistance markers were detected, although pfcrt-pfmdr1 haplotypes associated with lumefantrine tolerance were common.

CONCLUSIONS: The upward trend in imported malaria, the substantial proportion of severe cases and the emergence of ACT failures are sources of concern, although late failures were infrequent. Genetic analysis did not support parasitological resistance to ACT, suggesting prospective pharmacokinetic studies should assess adequacy of partner drug dosage and duration of treatment in non-immune populations.

M3 - 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.101505 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2018 Y1 - 2019 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Sanne Terryn ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaarverslag 2018 Y1 - 2019 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Katrien Tersago ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Synthèse annuelle 2018 Y1 - 2019 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Katrien Tersago ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van malaria - 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van rabiës - 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Sanne Terryn A1 - Steven Van Gucht PB - Sciensano CY - Brussel ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Hepatitis A outbreak disproportionately affecting men who have sex with men (MSM) in the European Union and European Economic Area, June 2016 to May 2017. JF - Euro Surveill Y1 - 2018 A1 - Patricia Ndumbi A1 - Gudrun S Freidl A1 - Christopher J Williams A1 - Otilia Mårdh A1 - Carmen Varela A1 - Ana Avellón A1 - Ingrid Friesema A1 - Vennema, Harry A1 - Kazim Beebeejaun A1 - Siew Lin Ngui A1 - Michael Edelstein A1 - Alison Smith-Palmer A1 - Niamh Murphy A1 - Jonathan Dean A1 - Mirko Faber A1 - Jürgen Wenzel A1 - Mia Kontio A1 - Luise Müller A1 - Sofie Elisabeth Midgley A1 - Lena Sundqvist A1 - Ederth, Josefine Lundberg A1 - Anne-Marie Roque-Afonso A1 - Elisabeth Couturier A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Vanessa Suin A1 - Stephan W Aberle A1 - Schmid, Daniela A1 - Rita De Sousa A1 - Augusto, Gonçalo Figueiredo A1 - Valeria Alfonsi A1 - Martina Del Manso A1 - Anna Rita Ciccaglione A1 - Mellou, Kassiani A1 - Christos Hadjichristodoulou A1 - Alastair Donachie A1 - Maria-Louise Borg A1 - Maja Sočan A1 - Poljak, Mario A1 - Ettore Severi KW - ADOLESCENT KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Disease Outbreaks KW - Europe KW - European Union KW - Genotype KW - Hepatitis A KW - hepatitis A virus KW - Homosexuality, Male KW - Hospitalization KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Infant, Newborn KW - Male KW - middle aged KW - Risk Factors KW - Sexual Behavior KW - Spain KW - Young adult AB -

Between 1 June 2016 and 31 May 2017, 17 European Union (EU) and European Economic Area countries reported 4,096 cases associated with a multi-country hepatitis A (HA) outbreak. Molecular analysis identified three co-circulating hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains of genotype IA: VRD_521_2016, V16-25801 and RIVM-HAV16-090. We categorised cases as confirmed, probable or possible, according to the EU outbreak case definitions. Confirmed cases were infected with one of the three outbreak strains. We investigated case characteristics and strain-specific risk factors for transmission. A total of 1,400 (34%) cases were confirmed; VRD_521_2016 and RIVM-HAV16-090 accounted for 92% of these. Among confirmed cases with available epidemiological data, 92% (361/393) were unvaccinated, 43% (83/195) travelled to Spain during the incubation period and 84% (565/676) identified as men who have sex with men (MSM). Results depict an HA outbreak of multiple HAV strains, within a cross-European population, that was particularly driven by transmission between non-immune MSM engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour. The most effective preventive measure to curb this outbreak is HAV vaccination of MSM, supplemented by primary prevention campaigns that target the MSM population and promote protective sexual behaviour.

VL - 23 CP - 33 M3 - 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.33.1700641 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Maladies infectieuses liées à l'eau et aux aliments: données 2015-2016 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Sanne Terryn A1 - Steven Van Gucht ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du paludisme - 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Voedsel-en watergerelateerde infectieziekten, epidemiologische verslag, data 2015-2016 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaarverslag 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Katrien Tersago ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Synthèse annuelle 2017 Y1 - 2018 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Katrien Tersago ER - TY - RPRT T1 - European OneHealth/EcoHealth workshop report - Brussels, 6-7 October 2016. Y1 - 2017 A1 - Keune, Hans A1 - Flandroy, Lucette A1 - Thys, Séverine A1 - Nick De Regge A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Thierry van den Berg A1 - Antoine-Moussiaux, Nicolas A1 - Vanhove, Maarten P M A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - Deblauwe, Isra A1 - Biot, Pierre A1 - Hiemstra, Wim A1 - Häsler, Barbara A1 - Binot, Aurélie KW - 2016 KW - European One Health / Eco Health Workshop PB - Biodiversity & Health Community of Practice and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform. CY - Brussels, Belgium ER - TY - JOUR T1 - The need for European OneHealth/EcoHealth networks. JF - Arch Public Health Y1 - 2017 A1 - Keune, Hans A1 - Flandroy, Lucette A1 - Thys, Séverine A1 - Nick De Regge A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Antoine-Moussiaux, Nicolas A1 - Vanhove, Maarten P M A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - Deblauwe, Isra A1 - Hiemstra, Wim A1 - Häsler, Barbara A1 - Binot, Aurélie A1 - Savic, Sara A1 - Ruegg, Simon R A1 - De Vries, Sjerp A1 - Garnier, Julie A1 - Thierry van den Berg KW - Community of Practice KW - Crosssectorial KW - EcoHealth KW - Europe KW - Interdisciplinarity KW - One Health KW - Transdisciplinarity AB -

Elaborating from the European One Health/Ecohealth (OH/EH) workshop that took place in fall 2016 and aimed to bring together different communities and explore collaborative potential, the creation of European networks focusing on the development of important OH/EH perspectives was a direct output from discussions at the end of some sessions, in particular: - A network on transdisciplinary One Health education. - A network integrating inputs from social sciences in One Health/EcoHealth actions and networks. - A network aiming at translating research findings on the Environment-Microbiome-Health axis into policy making, with a view to make healthy ecosystems a cost-effective disease prevention healthcare strategy. It was also suggested that a European Community of Practice could be initiated in order to support these several concrete networking initiatives, and to help to promote the building of other emerging initiatives.

VL - 75 M3 - 10.1186/s13690-017-0232-6 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Jaarrapport 2015-2016 Y1 - 2017 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Katrien Tersago A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Tinne Lernout ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique, 2015-2016 Y1 - 2017 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Katrien Tersago A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Tinne Lernout ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Human biomonitoring of heavy metals in the vicinity of non-ferrous metal plants in Ath, Belgium. JF - Arch Public Health Y1 - 2016 A1 - Sébastien Fierens A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Versporten, Ann A1 - Brits, Ethel A1 - Haufroid, Vincent A1 - De Plaen, Pierre A1 - Van Nieuwenhuyse, An AB -

BACKGROUND: A previous study revealed an environmental contamination by heavy metals in the vicinity of two non-ferrous metal plants in Ath, Belgium. The purpose of the current cross-sectional study was to estimate exposure of the population to heavy metals in the vicinity of the plants, in comparison with population living further away.

METHODS: We did a random sampling in the general population of Ath in two areas: a central area, including the plants, and a peripheral area, presumably less exposed. We quantified cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium and cobalt in blood and/or urine of children and adults in three age groups: (i) children aged 2.5 to 6 years ( = 98), (ii) children aged 7 to 11 years ( = 74), and (iii) adults aged 40 to 60 years ( = 106). We also studied subclinical health effects by quantifying retinol-binding protein and microalbuminuria, and by means of a Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

RESULTS: We obtained a participation rate of 24 %. Blood lead levels were significantly higher in young children living in the central area (18.2 μg/l ; 95 % CI: 15.9-20.9) compared to the peripheral area (14.8 μg/l ; 95 % CI: 12.6-17.4). We observed no other significant mean difference in metal concentrations between the two areas. In the whole population, blood lead levels were higher in men (31.7 μg/l ; 95 % CI: 27.9-36.1) than in women (21.4 μg/l ; 95 % CI: 18.1-25.3). Urine cadmium levels were 0.06 μg/g creatinine (95 % CI: 0.05-0.07), 0.21 μg/g creatinine (95 % CI: 0.17-0.27), and 0.25 μg/g creatinine (95 % CI: 0.20-0.30) for children, men, and women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite higher blood lead levels in young children living close to the plants, observed metal concentrations remain in the range found in other similar biomonitoring studies in the general population and are below the levels of concern for public health.

VL - 74 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27729976?dopt=Abstract M3 - 10.1186/s13690-016-0154-8 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Maladies infectieuses liées à la consommation des aliments et de l’eau 2015-2016 Y1 - 2016 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo KW - Maladies infectieuse AB -

Rapport thématique.

Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique, 2015 et 2016

PB - Sciensano CY - Brussels ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Voedsel- en watergerelateerde infectieziekten 2015-2016 Y1 - 2016 A1 - Stéphanie Jacquinet A1 - Sofieke Klamer A1 - Javiera Rebolledo KW - Infectieziekten AB -

Thematisch rapport

Epidemiologische surveillance in België, 2015 en 2016

PB - Sciensano CY - Brussels ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaaroverzicht 2015 Y1 - 2016 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Delaere, B A1 - David Fretin A1 - Hing,M. A1 - Jacobs,J.A. A1 - B Kabamba Mukadi A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Patteet,S. A1 - Saegeman,V. A1 - Vanessa Suin A1 - Truyens,C. A1 - Vanrompay, D A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - P Wattiau KW - 2015 KW - Surveillance KW - vectoroverdraagbare ziekten KW - zoonosen PB - WIV-ISP CY - Brussel, België ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique - Synthèse annuelle 2015 Y1 - 2016 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Delaere,B. A1 - David Fretin A1 - Hing,M. A1 - B Kabamba Mukadi A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Patteet,S. A1 - Saegeman,V. A1 - Vanessa Suin A1 - Truyens,C. A1 - Vanrompay, D A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - P Wattiau KW - 2015 KW - Belgique KW - maladies à transmission vectorielle KW - Surveillance KW - Zoonoses PB - WIV-ISP CY - Bruxelles, Belgique ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Epidemiological situation of Lyme borreliosis in Belgium, 2003 to 2012. JF - Arch Public Health Y1 - 2015 A1 - Corinne Bleyenheuft A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Nicolas Berger A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Mathias Leroy A1 - Robert, Annie A1 - Sophie Quoilin AB -

BACKGROUND: Some studies show that the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is increasing in different European countries. In order to evaluate if this is also the case in Belgium, different data sources were consulted to describe the epidemiology of Lyme borreliosis in the country during the last decade.

METHODS: Data from two databases were analyzed for the time period 2003-2010 and 2003-2012 for respectively: the registration of minimal clinical data from Belgian hospitals (principal and secondary diagnosis), and a sentinel laboratory network reporting positive laboratory results.

RESULTS: The number of hospitalized cases per year remained stable between 2003 and 2010, ranging from 970 (in 2008) to 1453 (in 2006), with a median of 1132.5 cases per year. Between 2003 and 2012, yearly fluctuations in the number of positive tests were reported by the sentinel laboratory network (with a minimum of 996 positive tests in 2007 and a maximum of 1651 positive tests in 2005), but there is no increasing trend over the study period (median = 1200.5 positive tests per year). The highest incidence rates of hospitalization and the highest reported incidence of positive laboratory results are registered in the provinces of Luxemburg, Limburg, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp, with a typical seasonal pattern (peak in September). The age groups affected most are those from 5 to 14 years and 45 to 69.

CONCLUSION: Based on hospital records and laboratory results, no increasing trend in Lyme disease was observed over the 2003-2012 period in Belgium. These results are in line with the stable incidence of erythema migrans reported by a sentinel network of general practitionners between 2003 and 2009. Multi-source surveillance of vector-borne diseases should be further implemented.

VL - 73 CP - 1 M3 - 10.1186/s13690-015-0079-7 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en Vector-Overdraagbare Ziekten. Epidemiologische surveillance in België, 2013 en 2014 Y1 - 2015 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Delaere,B. A1 - David Fretin A1 - Heuninckx,W. A1 - Hing,M. A1 - Jacobs, J. A1 - B Kabamba Mukadi A1 - Maes,P. A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Patteet,S. A1 - Sophie Quoilin A1 - Saegeman,V. A1 - Vanessa Suin A1 - Truyens,C. A1 - Vanrompay, D A1 - M. Van Esbroeck A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - P Wattiau KW - 2013 KW - 2014 KW - jaarrapport KW - overdraagbare ziekten KW - Vector KW - zoonosen PB - WIV-ISP CY - Brussel, België ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoonoses et maladies à transmission vectorielle. Surveillance épidémiologique en Belgique, 2013 et 2014 Y1 - 2015 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Dominique Van Beckhoven A1 - Bernard Brochier A1 - Delaere,B. A1 - David Fretin A1 - Heuninckx,W. A1 - Hing,M. A1 - Jacobs,J.A. A1 - B Kabamba Mukadi A1 - Maes,P. A1 - Marcella Mori A1 - Patteet,S. A1 - Sophie Quoilin A1 - Saegeman,V. A1 - Vanessa Suin A1 - Truyens,C. A1 - Vanrompay, D A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan A1 - Steven Van Gucht A1 - P Wattiau KW - 2013 KW - 2014 KW - maladies à transmission vectorielle KW - Surveillance KW - Zoonoses PB - WIV-ISP CY - Bruxelles, Belgique ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Human biomonitoring on heavy metals in Ath: methodological aspects. JF - Arch Public Health Y1 - 2011 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Sébastien Fierens A1 - Versporten, Ann A1 - Brits, Ethel A1 - De Plaen, Pierre A1 - An Van Nieuwenhuyse AB -

The municipality of Ath is characterised by the presence, in its center, of two non-ferrous metal industries whose emissions make local residents concerned for their health. Therefore, authorities of the Walloon Region and the municipality of Ath undertook biomonitoring to assess the impact of those industrial emissions on heavy metal body burden in humans.This paper describes the study design and methodology used to carry out this human biomonitoring.A random sampling was done in the general population, in two areas of Ath: an area centered around the industries and a peripheral area. The target population was children (2.5-11 years) and adults (40-60 years) without occupational exposure. The three-stage sampling procedure consisted of a mixture of both mail and telephone recruitment. Firstly, 3259 eligible people, identified from a population register, were mailed an introductory letter. In a second stage, eligible individuals were contacted by phone to propose them to participate in the study. They were randomly contacted until the required sample size was obtained. In the third stage, a second mail was sent to those who agreed to participate with a questionnaire to be filled out. Finally, biological samples (blood and urine) from 278 persons were collected. The final participation rate of this study was 24%.This sampling procedure, especially designed for the purpose of this biomonitoring study in Ath, allowed us to recruit a sample representative of the population of children and adults of Ath, reaching the expected sample size in a short period of time.

VL - 69 CP - 1 U1 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22958427?dopt=Abstract M3 - 10.1186/0778-7367-69-10 ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van chikungunya - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van dengue – 2019-2021 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Giulietta Stefani A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van Dengue - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van westijlekoorts - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Epidemiologische surveillance van zika - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - Generic T1 - Knowledge, perceptions and practices related to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses: survey in Belgium, 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Valeska Laisnez A1 - Marie Hermy A1 - Ruben Brondeel A1 - Ayat Abourashed A1 - Pauline de Best A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - JOUR T1 - An outbreak report of the two autochthonous cases of airport malaria in Belgium in 2020. Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la dengue - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique de la rage - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du chikungunya - 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du paludisme - 2018 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du Virus du Nil occidental (VNO) – 2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan A1 - Giulietta Stefani ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Surveillance épidémiologique du Zika -2022 Y1 - 0 A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Van Esbroeck, Marjan ER - TY - RPRT T1 - Zoönosen en vectoroverdraagbare ziekten. Samenvattend jaaroverzicht 2017 Y1 - 0 A1 - Tinne Lernout A1 - Amber Litzroth A1 - Javiera Rebolledo A1 - Katrien Tersago ER -