Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2019.

INTRODUCTION: The most common form of infectious diseases of the nervous system is meningitis and encephalitis. This study discusses in detail bacterial meningitis and/or encephalitis in which the etiological factors are: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and viral - in Poland, most often caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus. In addition to routine epidemiological surveillance of diseases caused by these etiological factors, mandatory and recommended vaccinations are carried out in Poland aimed at reducing the number of cases caused by N. meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and TBEV. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study is to assess the epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The epidemiological situation of meningitis and encephalitis in Poland was assessed on data sent to NIPH NIH - NRI by voivodeship sanitary-epidemiological stations and published in the annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2019" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2019". RESULTS: In 2019, a total of 2,239 cases of meningitis and encephalitis were registered in Poland. This is a decrease by approximately 19,9% compared to 2018. In the case of bacterial infections, including neuroborreliosis, the number of cases decreased by 27%, from 1265 to 921 cases. In the group of viral infections, a decrease by 14% (from 1,533 to 1,318 cases) was recorded. In 31% of all the cases of bacterial etiology, the etiological factor was one of three: Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Infections of viral etiology accounted for 58.9% of all registered cases. Compared to 2018, the number of S. pneumoniae cases decreased by 14.6%, and in the case of N. meningitidis by 6.9%. In the case of H. influenzae, there was an increase in the number of cases, compared to the previous year. In addition, there was a slight increase in the number of cases of tick-borne encephalitis - from 197 cases in 2018 to 265 cases in 2019 (an increase of 34.5%). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The analysis showed a generally declining disease trend, both in bacterial and viral meningitis and encephalitis. Only in cases caused by H. influenzae and tick-borne encephalitis virus, an increase was observed compared to the previous year. Meningitis and encephalitis continues to be a challenge for the healthcare system, with particular emphasis on the correct differentiation of the etiology at an early stage of infection detection.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Chickenpox is a common disease in Poland, which is usually mild, but can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is an effective form of prevention. Prior to universal vaccination against chickenpox, high incidence was recorded in many countries. In Poland, since 2003, vaccinations have been carried out recommended for people who did not suffer from chickenpox and, since 2009, obligatory vaccinations for children up to 12 years of age particularly vulnerable to infection and children around them. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2019, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years. METHODS: Assessment of the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2019 was based on the results of the analysis of aggregate data published in the annual bulletins: "Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2019" and "Protective Vaccination in Poland in 2019." In addition, the recommendations from the Protective Vaccine Program for 2019 were used. RESULTS: In 2019, 180 641 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland, i.e. 17.2% more than in the previous year. The incidence of chickenpox in 2019 was 470.6 per 100 thousand and was higer than in 2018. The lowest incidence was registered in the Dolnoslaskie Voivodeship - 297.9/100 thousand, the highest in the Slaskie Voivodeship - 555.9/100 thousand. Children aged 0-4 years became ill the most (89 611). The incidence of chickenpox in men was higher than in women, and in rural areas it was higher than in urban areas. Hospitalization due to chickenpox in 2019 covered 1 156 people, which accounted for 0.64% of the total number of registered cases. SUMMARY: In 2019, there was a growth in the number of chickenpox cases compared to the previous year, the incidence remains lower than in 2012-2014. An effective method of disease prevention is vaccination against chickenpox, which, despite the lack of common funding, is carried out in a growing population. Further improvement of the epidemiological situation requires health education of the society in the field of primary prevention, which is based on vaccinations. As recommended, the chickenpox vaccination course consists of two doses of the vaccine separated by at least 6 weeks from the previous dose.

A Retrospective Database Study of Lyme Borreliosis Incidence in Poland from 2015 to 2019: A Public Health Concern.

Background: In Poland, Lyme borreliosis (LB) has been subject to mandatory public health surveillance since 1996 and, in accordance with EU regulations, Lyme neuroborreliosis has been reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control since 2019. In this study, the incidence, temporal trends, and geographic distribution of LB and its manifestations in Poland are described for the period 2015-2019. Methods: This retrospective incidence study of LB and its manifestations in Poland was based on data sent to the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene-National Research Institute (NIPH-NIH-NRI) by district sanitary epidemiological stations using the electronic Epidemiological Records Registration System and data from the National Database on Hospitalization. Incidence rates were calculated using population data from the Central Statistical Office. Results: During 2015-2019, Poland reported 94,715 cases of LB with an overall average incidence of 49.3 cases per 100,000 population. Cases increased from 2015 (11,945) to 2016 (20,857) and then remained stable through 2019. Hospitalization due to LB also rose during these years. LB was more common among women (55.7%). Erythema migrans and Lyme arthritis were the most common manifestations of LB. The highest incidence rates occurred among >50-year-olds, with a peak in 65-69-year-olds. The highest number of cases was recorded in the third and fourth quarters of the year (July-December). Incidence rates in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country were higher than the national average. Conclusions: LB is endemic in all regions of Poland, and many regions reported high incidence rates. Large variations in spatially granular incidence rates highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies.