Measles in Poland in 2015

BACKGROUND: In 1998 Poland, along with all other Member States in the WHO European Region, implemented Measles Elimination Programme coordinated by WHO. It requires achieving and maintaining very high vaccine coverage (>95%), recording all cases and suspected cases of measles, and laboratory testing of all suspected measles cases in the WHO Reference Laboratory. In Poland it is a Laboratory of Department of Virology, NIPH-NIH. In order to confirm or exclude the case of measles specific measles IgM antibodies should be measured using Elisa test, or molecular testing (PCR) should be performed to detect the presence measles virus RNA in biological material. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2015, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, and Measles Elimination Program implementation status. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2015" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2015", and measles case-based reports from 2015 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPHNIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations. RESULTS: In total, there were 48 measles cases registered in Poland in 2015 (incidence 0.12 per 100,000), from which 30 cases (62.5%) were confirmed with laboratory test. That was less than in 2014 - when 110 cases were reported and incidence was 0,29.In 2015, a total number of reported cases and suspected cases of measles was 133, among them 48 cases (incidence 0.12 per 100,000) meet the criteria and were registered in Poland. In comparison to the previous year (110 cases; 0.29) there was registered dicrease in the number of cases. Thirty cases (36.1%) were confirmed with laboratory tests. The highest incidence rate was observed among children in age group 0-4 (0.59). In 2015, 26 cases (54.2%) were hospitalized due to measles. No deaths from measles were reported. Vaccination coverage of children and youth aged 2-11 years ranged from 77.9% do 99.5% (primary vaccination in children born in 2009-2013) and from 71.5% do 88.9% (booster dose in children born in 2005-2008). SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological situation of measles deteriorated in 2015 in comparison to proceding year. The sensitivity of measles surveillance improved but is still insufficient. It is necessary to further promote Measles Elimination Program in Poland, to improve measles surveillance system and to maintain the high immunization coverage.

Rubella in Poland in 2015

BACKGROUND: In 2004, Poland has adopted the WHO goal of rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome prevention. The main target of the Programme is to stop transmission of the virus in the environment and prevention of congenital rubella cases between children. This can be achieved by carrying out the vaccination. Participation in the rubella elimination program requires clinical diagnosis of rubella to be confirmed with laboratory test. A laboratory-confirmed case is a suspected case with a positive blood test for rubella-specific IgM or/ and isolation of rubella virus. Isolation of rubella viruses and genotyping is an important components for confirming connections between cases or excluding cases during investigations. Vaccination against rubella was introduced in 1987, initially only in 13 year-old girls. Among men, the incidence of measles remained high creating a risk of infection of non-immune pregnant women which may lead to the development of congenital rubella syndrome in the child. Since 2003, single jab vaccination against rubella, measles and mumps is used- MMR vaccine for all children: primary vaccination at the age 13-15 months. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2015, including vaccination coverage in polish population. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2015" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2015". RESULTS: In 2015, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases - with registered 2 027 cases (in 2014 - 5 891 cases) - and a decline in incidence (from 15.3 per 100 000 to 5.3). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among children aged 0-4 years (46.7 per 100,000). The incidence of rubella in boys and men was similar to the incidence in girls and women (5.5 versus 5.0). In 2015, no cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: In 2015, there was a decrease in the number of rubella cases. In Poland Rubella is reported exclusively on the basis of the clinical picture. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/ excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland. In 2015, only 1.1% of rubella cases were laboratory confirmed.

Mumps in Poland in 2015

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against mumps from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Earlier this vaccination was only recommended. Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common disease among the children (1-3). AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2015, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2015" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2015" (4;5). Mumps cases were classified according to the criteria of surveillance case definition implemented in the European Union (Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC). National Immunisation Programme for year 2015 was also used (6). RESULTS: In total, there were 2 208 mumps cases registered in Poland in 2015. Incidence of mumps was 5.7 per 100,000 and it was lower by 12,3% in comparison with 2014 and lower by 20.4% in comparison with median for the years 2009-2014. The highest incidence (9.1 per 100 000) was registered in Kujawsko-pomorskie and the lowest (3.3) ­ in Podkarpackie voivodeship. The highest incidence rate was observed among children aged 5 years (48.3 per 100 000). Incidence in men (7.1 per 100 000) was higher than in women (4.4). In 2015, 12 people were hospitalized due to mumps. Vaccination coverage of children aged 3 years in Poland in 2015 was 96,3% and it was lower by 0.7% in comparison with year 2014. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic execution of mumps vaccination in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme resulted in a significant decrease in the number of registered cases. Due to the high vaccination coverage further decline in the number of cases is expected.

Vaccine effectiveness in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care patients in a season of co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, B and drifted A(H3N2), I-MOVE Multicentre Case-Control Study, Europe 2014/15.

Influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses co-circulated in Europe in 2014/15. We undertook a multicentre case-control study in eight European countries to measure 2014/15 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically-attended influenza-like illness (ILI) laboratory-confirmed as influenza. General practitioners swabbed all or a systematic sample of ILI patients. We compared the odds of vaccination of ILI influenza positive patients to negative patients. We calculated adjusted VE by influenza type/subtype, and age group. Among 6,579 ILI patients included, 1,828 were A(H3N2), 539 A(H1N1)pdm09 and 1,038 B. VE against A(H3N2) was 14.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): -6.3 to 31.0) overall, 20.7% (95%CI: -22.3 to 48.5), 10.9% (95%CI -30.8 to 39.3) and 15.8% (95% CI: -20.2 to 41.0) among those aged 0-14, 15-59 and  ≥60 years, respectively. VE against A(H1N1)pdm09 was 54.2% (95%CI: 31.2 to 69.6) overall, 73.1% (95%CI: 39.6 to 88.1), 59.7% (95%CI: 10.9 to 81.8), and 22.4% (95%CI: -44.4 to 58.4) among those aged 0-14, 15-59 and  ≥60 years respectively. VE against B was 48.0% (95%CI: 28.9 to 61.9) overall, 62.1% (95%CI: 14.9 to 83.1), 41.4% (95%CI: 6.2 to 63.4) and 50.4% (95%CI: 14.6 to 71.2) among those aged 0-14, 15-59 and ≥60 years respectively. VE against A(H1N1)pdm09 and B was moderate. The low VE against A(H3N2) is consistent with the reported mismatch between circulating and vaccine strains.

Mumps in Poland in 2014

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against mumps from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Earlier this vaccination was only recommended. Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common disease among the children. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2014, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2014" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2014" (1). Mumps cases were classified according to the criteria of surveillance case definition implemented in the European Union (Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC). National Immunisation Programme for year 2014 was also used. RESULTS: In total, there were 2 508 mumps cases registered in Poland in 2014. Incidence of mumps was 6.5 per 100,000 and it was higher by 3.1 % in comparison with 2013 and lower by 9.7 % in comparison with median for the years 2008-2012. The highest incidence rate was observed among children aged 4 years (61.3 per 100,000). Incidence in men (7.8 per 100,000) was higher than in women (5.3). In 2014, 31 people were hospitalized due to mumps. Vaccination coverage of children aged 3 years in Poland in 2013 was 97.0% and it was lower by 0.5 % in comparison with year 2013 (97.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic execution of mumps vaccination in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme resulted in a significant decrease in the number of registered cases. Due to the high vaccination coverage further decline in the number of cases is expected.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2014

BACKGROUND: A large number of chickenpox cases, occurring especially in children between 0-14 years old and among those who are not vaccinated, indicates the rationale for the use of chickenpox vaccinations. In Poland since 2002, chickenpox vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme as recommended. AIM. To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2014 in comparison to previous years. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2014 in comparison to previous years. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2014" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2014" (1;2). National Immunisation Programme for year 2014 was also used (3). RESULTS: In 2014, 221 628 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland. The incidence was 575.9 and was lower than in 2013 (463.6). The highest number of cases was reported in mazowieckie voivodeship (35 321), the lowest in podlaskie voivodeship (5 346). The highest incidence was recorded in children aged 4 years. The chickenpox incidence among men was higher by 12.4% comparing to women (543.4). The incidence among rural residents (595.0) was higher by 9.8 % than among urban residents. Number of cases hospitalized due to mumps was 1 467. Number of people vaccinated against chickenpox was 63 608. SUMMARY: In 2014, there was increase in the incidence of chickenpox in Poland. Since 2002 the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox increased. The increase in the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox would help maintain the downward trend in subsequent years.

Rubella in Poland in 2013.

BACKGROUND: In 2004, Poland has adopted the WHO goal of rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome prevention. The main target of the Programme is to stop transmission of the virus in the environment and prevention of congenital rubella in children. This can be achieved by carrying out the vaccination. Participation in the rubella elimination program requires clinical diagnosis of rubella cases and their confirmation with laboratory test. In Poland, until 2003, national vaccination recommendation included a dose of rubella vaccine only for girls aged 13 years. Among men, the incidence of measles remained high creating a risk of infection of non-immune pregnant women which may lead to the development of congenital rubella syndrome in the child. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2013, including vaccination coverage in Polish population. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (MP. Czarkowski, Warszawa 2014, NIZP-PZH, GIS). RESULTS: In 2013, there was big epidemic of rubella in Poland--with 38,548 registered cases (6 times more than in 2012), incidence 84.4 per 100,000 (5 times higher than in the previous year). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among adolescents aged 15-19 years (911.6 per 100,000). The incidence of rubella in boys and men was significantly higher than the incidence in girls and women (181.4 versus 23.9). In 2013, two cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS: Rubella epidemic which occurred in Poland in 2013 was the result of use in the past vaccination against rubella only for girls 13 years of age. The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland. In 2013, only 0.2% of rubella cases were laboratory confirmed.

Mumps in Poland in 2013.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against mumps from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Earlier this vaccination was only recommended. Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common childhood disease. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2013, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2013, NIZP-PZH i GIS). Mumps cases were classified according to the criteria of surveillance case definition implemented in the European Union (Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC). National Immunisation Programme for year 2013 was also used. RESULTS: In total, there were 2 436 mumps cases registered in Poland in 2013. Incidence of mumps was 6.3 per 100,000 and it was lower by 12.5% in comparison with 2012 and lower by 18.2% in comparison with median for the years 2007-2010. The highest incidence rate was observed among children aged 5 years (54.0 per 100,000). Incidence in men (7.5) was higher than in women (5.2). In 2013, 38 people were hospitalized due to mumps. Vaccination coverage of children aged 3 years in Poland in 2013 was 97.5% and it was lower by 0.4% in comparison with year 2012. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic execution of mumps vaccination in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme resulted in a significant decrease in the number of registered cases. Due to the high vaccination coverage further decline in the number of cases is expected.

Chickenpox in Poland in 2013.

BACKGROUND: A large number of chickenpox cases, occurring especially in children, indicates the rationale for the use of chickenpox vaccinations. In Poland since 2002, chickenpox vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme as recommended. AIM: To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2013 in comparison to previous years. METHODS: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2014, NIZP-PZH i GIS). National Immunisation Programme for year 2013 was also used. RESULTS: In 2013, 178 501 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland. The incidence was 463.6 and was lower than in 2012 (540.5). The highest number of cases was reported in mazowieckie voivodeship, the lowest in podlaskie voivodeship. The highest incidence was recorded in children aged 4 years (6 545.1 per 100,000). The chickenpox incidence among men (491.7) was higher by 12.4% comparing to women (437.3). The incidence among rural residents (497.2) was higher than among urban residents (441.7). Number of cases hospitalized due to mumps was 1 184. Number of people vaccinated against chickenpox was 57 168. SUMMARY: In 2013, there was decrease in the incidence of chickenpox [corrected] in Poland with small fluctuations. Since 2002 the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox increased. The increase in the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox would help maintain the downward trend in subsequent years.