Novel Hepatitis E Virus Genotype in Norway Rats, Germany

Human hepatitis E virus infections may be caused by zoonotic transmission of virus genotypes 3 and 4. To determine whether rodents are a reservoir, we analyzed the complete nucleotide sequence of a hepatitis E–like virus from 2 Norway rats in Germany. The sequence suggests a separate genotype for this hepatotropic virus

A SARS-CoV-2 Omicron outbreak among crew members on a cruise ship in Germany in early 2022

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks on cruise shipshave rarely been investigated. In early 2022, we were informed about a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on a cruiseship calling Port of Hamburg after 10 infections among crew members were detected. We conducted anoutbreak investigation in collaboration between ship owners, the ship physician and Hamburg’s Institutefor Hygiene and Environment, to identify risk factors and to achieve containment. The aim was to identifyrisk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 variants in a cohort of 165 crew members.Materials and methods: For this purpose, we collected data on age, sex, nationality, boarding-time, cabin use(single/shared), work place, and vaccination status of the study participants. Cases were defined as individualswho tested SARS-CoV-2 positive at least once in daily screenings during the outbreak period (10 days)by polymerase chain reaction or antigen test. We investigated risk factors for infection by descriptive, univariableand multivariable analysis. We performed whole genome sequencing to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants.Results: We verified 103 SARS-CoV-2 positive cases (attack rate [AR] 62.4%); 39/41 sequenced sampleswere BA.2.3 Omicron subtype, one BA.1 and one BA.1.1. Among boostered crew members, AR was 38%vs. 65% among those vaccinated once or twice. Among those who stayed < 30 days on board, AR was31% vs. 72% among those staying on board longer. Among Europeans, the AR was 53% vs. 71% in non--Europeans. Adjusting for age and sex, cases were more likely to have received no booster vaccine (oddsratio [OR]: 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.99–7.13), to have spent more time on board (≥ 30 days,OR: 6.36, 95% CI: 2.81–14.40 vs. < 30 days) and to have a non-European nationality (OR: 2.14, 95% CI:1.08–4.27). The outbreak stopped shortly after offboard isolation of cases.Conclusions: This investigation confirms the importance of a booster vaccine against COVID-19. Longerstays onboard could facilitate social mixing. Further studies could investigate the impact of social, cultural/behavioural patterns and public health access on the infection risk. Physical distancing together withscreening and isolation can contain SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on cruise ships

Health care-associated rotavirus illness in pediatric inpatients in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

A longitudinal study of health care-associated transmission of rotaviruses (RVs) in pediatric inpatients 0-48 months old in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland showed that almost one third of all cases occurred in patients 2 months old or younger. The effectiveness of vaccination against RV from 2 months of age onward remains to be evaluated

Salmonellosis outbreak with novel Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype (11:z41:e,n,z15) attributable to sesame products in five European countries, 2016 to 2017

In spring 2016, Greece reported an outbreak caused by a previously undescribed Salmonellaenterica subsp. enterica serotype (antigenic formula 11:z41:e,n,z15) via the Epidemic Intelligence Information System for Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses (EPIS-FWD), with epidemiological evidence for sesame products as presumptive vehicle. Subsequently, Germany, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom (UK) reported infections with this novel serotype via EPIS-FWD. Concerned countries in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted a common outbreak case definition. An outbreak case was defined as a laboratory-confirmed notification of the novel Salmonella serotype. Between March 2016 and April 2017, 47 outbreak cases were notified (Greece: n = 22; Germany: n = 13; Czech Republic: n = 5; Luxembourg: n = 4; UK: n = 3). Whole genome sequencing revealed the very close genetic relatedness of isolates from all affected countries. Interviews focusing on sesame product consumption, suspicious food item testing and trace-back analysis following Salmonella spp. detection in food products identified a company in Greece where sesame seeds from different countries were processed. Through European collaboration, it was possible to identify and recall sesame spread as one contaminated food item serving as vehicle of infection and trace it back to its origin.Peer Reviewe