COVID-19 module in SRWE system - application and use in epidemiological surveillance and reporting to international institutions.

The new SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) coronavirus causing acute respiratory disease COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) detected in China in 2019 very quickly revealed its epidemic potential and was recognized as a global health problem. The situation caused by the rapidly increasing number of new cases and deaths due to COVID-19 required the rapid development of international recommendations and procedures to limit the spread of infections and ongoing monitoring of the epidemiological situation. In the field of epidemiological surveillance of COVID-19 cases, international organizations - WHO and regionally ECDC, have developed basic requirements for reporting data on newly detected cases of infection. In order to ensure the possibility of reporting new cases and activities undertaken by sanitary-epidemiological services in the country and to fulfill the obligation to report data to the European surveillance network, it was necessary to adapt the electronic system supporting epidemiological surveillance operations, for registration of suspected and confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This work presents the characteristics of the new COVID-19 module created as part of the central Epidemiological Case Reporting System and a preliminary evaluation of its usefulness for the purposes of combating COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS. The Epidemiological Case Reporting System is an efficient and adequate tool that can be adapted to newly emerging threats. In order to use the module to monitor the current epidemiological situation, it is necessary to integrate it with other systems collecting data about COVID-19 patients - ie. EWP and the clinical patient register.

HIV and AIDS in Poland in 2017

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2017 in comparison to the changes in preceding years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. RESULTS: In 2017 there were 1,419 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate: 3.69 per 100,000), including 51 among non-Polish citizens. The frequency of newly detected HIV infections increased by nearly 8% compared to the previous year and by almost 28% compared to the median in 2011-2015 years. The total number of AIDS cases was 108 (incidence 0.28 per 100,000), and 20 people died from AIDS disease (0.05 per 100,000). New HIV diagnoses were reported mainly among people in age 20 to 39 years (69.5%) and among men (88.5%). Among cases with known transmission route, 69.5% concerned among men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). The percentage of MSM cases, similarly to heterosexual cases decrease in comparison to previous year, relatively by 5.7% and 6.4%. The percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed at the same time with HIV diagnosis increased by 6% percentage points in comparison with 2016 year (from 68% to 74% AIDS cases). CONCLUSION: The most HIV cases are diagnosed among MSM, so prophylactic activities are still needed in this key population. It is also need to increase the number of new cases linkage-to-care and to improve the low frequency in HIV testing rate in all population.

HIV and AIDS in Poland in 2016

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases in Poland in 2016 in comparison to the previous years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing conducted among the laboratories throughout the country. Data from the Department of Demographic and Labor Market Research of the Central Statistical Office on deaths due to HIV / AIDS were also used. RESULTS: In 2016 there were 1,313 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate: 3.42 per 100,000), including 44 among non-Polish citizens. The number of newly detected HIV infections increased by nearly 10% compared to the previous year and by almost 19% compared to the median in 2010-2014. The total number of AIDS cases was 102 (incidence 0.27 per 100,000), and 102 people died of HIV disease (0.27 per 100,000). New HIV diagnoses were reported mainly in men (87.3%) and among people aged 20 to 39 years (71.2%). 81.2% of cases in men with known transmission category concerned men who had sexual contact with men (MSM). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of new HIV cases are diagnosed in the MSM group. However, the assessment of the epidemiological situation is limited by the missing data on the likely route of transmission of newly detected HIV infections.

Hepatitis C in Poland in 2016

INTRODUCTION: In 2016, the World Health Organization implemented a Global Strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis. For Hepatitis C, the goals of this Strategy include increased harm reduction coverage, improved safety of medical procedures and an increase the percentage of people diagnosed and treated. OBJECTIVE: This article aims are evaluating the epidemiological situation of HCV infections in Poland in 2016 in reference to the data from previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland in 2016 was carried out on case-based data collected through routine surveillance system. Data on hepatitis C mortality from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office were also included. RESULTS: In 2016, a total of 4,261 cases were reported. Diagnosis rate was 11.09 per 100,000, on the similar level as in 2015 (1% decrease), but in comparison to the median for the years 2010-2014 it increased by 88%. The most common possible route of HCV infection were medical procedures accounting for 69.8% of all cases and for 58.2% of acute hepatitis C virus infection cases. In 2016, 224 deaths due to hepatitis C were registered. In 2016, a hepatitis C outbreak was reported in malopolskie voivodeship (11 patients of the Hemato-oncolology Department, 129 people exposed). CONCLUSIONS: The increase of HCV diagnosis rate, which has been reported for last three years, is probably a consequence of improved the surveillance, including mandatory reporting of positive laboratory results, but also increased availability of HCV laboratory screening. Medical exposures are still an important route of transmission of HCV in Poland.

HIV and AIDS in Poland in 2015

AIM: AIM. The aim was to describe the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections and AIDS cases in Poland in 2015 in comparison to the previous years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive analysis of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases was performed based on routine notifications by clinicians and laboratories. Data on the number of HIV tests from annual survey among laboratories were also used. RESULTS: In 2015 there were 1,281 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 3.33 per 100,000 population), including 23 among non-Polish citizens. The rate of new cases rose by 15% compared to the previous year as well as to the median in 2009 - 2013. The total number of AIDS cases was 128 (incidence 0.38 per 100,000) and 41 AIDS patients died (0.11 per 100,000). HIV infection was mainly detected among people aged from 20 to 39 years (71.3%) and among males (84.8%). Among men, 67.6% of newly diagnosed infections with known transmission category were acquired by men who have sex with men (MSM). The percentage of infected men in this group, compared to 2014, increased from 64.5% to 67.6%. The percentage of newly diagnosed persons infected by heterosexual contact decreased from 24.1% to 21.1% (persons with known transmission category). The percentage of people with HIV diagnosed at the same time as AIDS diagnosed decreased in comparison with 2014 (from 9.2% to 6.9% of newly detected HIV infections). CONCLUSIONS: HIV epidemic continues to develop among MSM in Poland. However, assessment of epidemiological situation is limited by the missing data on the probable transmission route in a large percentage of reported newly detected HIV infection.

Hepatitis C in Poland in 2015

INTRODUCTION: On account of the asymptomatic course, no possibility to prevent by vaccination and the serious consequences of long-term infection (liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma), hepatitis C (HCV infection) is a serious public health problem. OBJECTIVE: This article aims are evaluating the epidemiological situation of HCV infections in Poland in 2015 in reference to the data from previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland was carried out on a basis of aggregated data from routine surveillance system published in annual bulletin "Infectious Diseases and Poisonings in Poland". Data on hepatitis C mortality from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office were also included. In 2015, mandatory reporting included: 1) HCV infections diagnosed by physicians and 2) positive laboratory test results for HCV. RESULTS: In 2015, a total of 4,285 cases were reported (diagnosis rate 11.14 per 100,000). The diagnosis rate increased by 21% compared to 2014 (2014: 3 551 cases, 9.23 per 100,000) and doubled with respect to the median value in 2009-2013 (2,189 cases, 5.68 per 100,000). For the first time the diagnosis rates in men and women were comparable (11.10 per 100,000 vs. 11.19 per 100,000). The percentage of people hospitalized due to HCV infection at HCV diagnosis decreased (in 2015 - 39.0%, in 2014 - 48.4%). In 2015, 239 deaths due to hepatitis C were registered. CONCLUSIONS: The increased diagnosis rate of hepatitis C in 2015 may be a consequence of improved reporting, legislative changes (introduction of mandatory reporting of positive laboratory results) as well as enhanced publicity and other HCV control activities, including increased availability of HCV laboratory screening.