HPR volume 11 issue 23: news (30 June)
Updated 15 December 2017
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1. UK zoonoses report for 2015
The latest annual report on zoonoses in the UK has been published on the PHE website [1]. This comprehensive cross-government report, whose production is led by PHE’s Emerging Infections and Zoonoses section, involves contributions from a total of 14 different animal and human health agencies from across the UK. It includes reported cases and significant events of zoonotic infection in humans and animals during 2015.
The data was compiled from statutory notifiable or reportable disease reports, national surveillance systems, national laboratory reporting, control and research programmes, and data submitted by contributing agencies to the European Community via the Trends and Sources Report (under the Zoonoses Directive 2003/99). A comprehensive list of zoonotic infections occurring in both humans and animals can be found in the report. The report highlights significant trends in a number of zoonoses emphasising the need for continued surveillance and collaboration between veterinary and human health professionals.
1.1 Reference
- HM Government (2017). Zoonoses report: UK 2015.
2. European Drug Report 2017
The continuing rise in heroin overdose deaths and the emerging risks from new psychoactive substances (NPS) and highly potent synthetic opioids are highlighted in the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) latest annual report [1], based on 2015 data from 28 EU member states, Turkey and Norway. The agency also reports on: indications that cocaine availability is rising; developments in cannabis policies; and substance use among school students.
Accompanying this year’s report is a new analysis of public health threat posed by new psychoactive substances, of which the EMCDDA is currently monitoring use of 620 (compared with 350 in 2013). Use of NPS among a range of demographic groups is reported including: opioid and amphetamine injectors; prisoners; the homeless; and men who have sex with men. The report explores, in particular, the use of synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids and new synthetic opioids, as well as related harms and responses.
The EMCDDA annual report is complemented for the first time by 30 country drug reports, presenting summaries of national drug use trends and public health responses.
2.1 Reference
- EMCDDA (2017). European Drug Report 2017.
3. Vaccine coverage and vaccine-preventable disease reports in this issue of HPR
The following four infection reports are published in this issue of HPR. The links below are to the relevant webpage collections.
3.1 Vaccine coverage reports
- Quarterly vaccination coverage statistics for children aged up to five years in the UK (COVER programme): January to March 2017
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) coverage report (England): April 2016 to March 2017