COVID-19 outbreaks in a transmission control scenario: challenges posed by social and leisure activities, and for workers in vulnerable conditions, Spain, early summer 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 community-wide transmission declined in Spain by early May 2020, being replaced by outbreaks and sporadic cases. From mid-June to 2 August, excluding single household outbreaks, 673 outbreaks were notified nationally, 551 active (>6,200 cases) at the time. More than half of these outbreaks and cases coincided with: (i) social (family/friends’ gatherings or leisure venues) and (ii) occupational (mainly involving workers in vulnerable conditions) settings. Control measures were accordingly applied

Pandemia por Coronavirus en Illes Balears, primera onda epidémica

The appearance and spread of the new COVID-19 disease are described from the epidemiological surveillance aspect. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has produced a global pandemic in which we are still immersed. The appearance of the new virus has represented a challenge of colossal dimensions in all aspects: virology, knowledge of transmission, therapeutic approaches, protection of the most vulnerable population, vaccines, etc. The epidemiological surveillance services of Spain have faced the need to control the disease and record its evolution. Initial attempts to control possible outbreaks such as in 2003 with the SARS epidemic were unsuccessful, the new disease has proven to be much more contagious and difficult to isolate. The characteristics of the first epidemic wave in the Balearic Islands are described from the onset of the disease to the end of the period of de-confinement and the state of alarm on June 21, 2020.Se describe la aparición y difusión de la nueva enfermedad COVID-19 desde el aspecto de la vigilancia epidemiológica. El virus SARS-CoV-2 ha producido una pandemia global en la que estamos inmersos todavía. La aparición del nuevo virus ha representa-do un desafío de dimensiones colosales en todos los aspectos: virología, conocimiento de la transmisión, enfoques terapéuticos, protección de población más vulnerable, vacunas, etc. Los servicios de vigilancia epidemiológica de España se han enfrentado a la necesidad de controlar la enfermedad y registrar su evolución. Los intentos iniciales de controlar posibles brotes como en 2003 con la epidemia del SARS fueron inútiles, la nueva enfermedad ha mostrado ser mucho más contagiosa y difícil de aislar. Se describen las características de la primera onda epidémica en las Islas Baleares desde el inicio de la enfermedad hasta el final del periodo de desconfinamiento y del estado de alarma el 21 de junio de 2020

Medidas de prevención y control de infecciones: el caso del SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19 disease is an emerging infectious disease caused by a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. In the absence of an effective and safe vaccine to protect people from acquiring and developing COVID-19, the implementation of general and specific infection prevention and control measures are the most effective public health interventions against SARS-CoV-2. In most situations, multiple infection prevention and control measures must be implemented simultaneously to maximize their effectiveness. Among the general preventive measures, we must highlight: physical distance, respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene, cleanliness of the environment, isolation of cases, quarantine of close contacts and care for vulnerable populations including residents in long-stay centers. In health care, apply precautions for contact and droplet transmission, in addition to precautions by air when performing techniques that generate aerosols. There are more than 100 vaccines under investigation, of which more than 50 vaccines are being tested in humans. To contain this virus and other new viruses, there is no option for error or relaxation of the highest standards of all components of infection surveillance, prevention and control.La enfermedad COVID-19 es una enfermedad infecciosa emergente causada por un nuevo coronavirus, el SARS-CoV-2. En ausencia de una vacuna eficaz y segura para proteger a las personas de adquirir y desarrollar la COVID-19, la implementación de medidas, generales y específicas, de prevención y control de infecciones son las intervenciones de salud pública más eficaces contra el SARS-CoV-2. En la mayoría de las situaciones, se deben implementar varias medidas de prevención y control de infecciones simultáneamente para maximizar la efectividad de las mismas. Entre las medidas preventivas generales hay que destacar: distancia física, higiene respiratoria e higiene de manos, limpieza del medio ambiente, aislamiento de casos, cuarentena de contactos estrechos y atención a poblaciones vulnerables incluyendo residentes en centros de larga estancia. En los cuidados sanitarios aplicar las precauciones para trasmisión de contacto y por gotas, además de precauciones por aire cuando se realicen técnicas que generen aerosoles. Hay más de 100 vacunas en investigación, de ellas más de 50 vacunas se están ensayando en humanos. Para contener este virus y otros virus nuevos, no hay opción para el error o la relajación de los más altos estándares de todos los componentes de la vigilancia, prevención y control de infecciones

Ongoing outbreak of invasive and non-invasive disease due to group A Streptococcus (GAS) type emm66 among homeless and people who inject drugs in England and Wales, January to December 2016

We report an outbreak of invasive and non-invasive disease due to an unusual type of Streptococcus pyogenes(group A Streptococcus, emm66) among a vulnerable, largely homeless population in southern England and Wales, detected in September 2016. Twenty-seven confirmed cases were subsequently identified between 5 January and 29 December 2016; 20 injected drugs and six reported problematic alcohol use. To date, we have ruled out drug-related vehicles of infection and identified few common risk factors

First cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the WHO European Region, 24 January to 21 February 2020

In the WHO European Region, COVID-19 surveillance was implemented 27 January 2020. We detail the first European cases. As at 21 February, nine European countries reported 47 cases. Among 38 cases studied, 21 were linked to two clusters in Germany and France, 14 were infected in China. Median case age was 42 years; 25 were male. Late detection of the clusters’ index cases delayed isolation of further local cases. As at 5 March, there were 4,250 cases

First cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the WHO European Region, 24 January to 21 February 2020

In the WHO European Region, COVID-19 surveillance was implemented 27 January 2020. We detail the first European cases. As at 21 February, nine European countries reported 47 cases. Among 38 cases studied, 21 were linked to two clusters in Germany and France, 14 were infected in China. Median case age was 42 years; 25 were male. Late detection of the clusters' index cases delayed isolation of further local cases. As at 5 March, there were 4,250 cases.status: publishe