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	News Archive EPI-NEWS Events		News     5. January 2009 - Tuberculosis: Annual report 2007 Following a decrease in the 2000-2002 period, TB occurrence has remained constant in the 2003-2007 period. The previous decrease was almost exclusively seen in immigrants; among Danes the TB occurrence has remained practically stable since 1995. It gives cause for concern that the proportion of infectious patients shows an increasing trend among Danes and immigrants. Such trend is probably the result of late diagnosis. Concurrent HIV infection and thus AIDS – even allowing for some under-reporting – is not a major problem in Denmark. The Department of Epidemiology heads an investigation to identify the share of TB patients that are offered an HIV test and to shed light on test results. The investigation will be repeated annually in the period 2007-2012. Read more in EPI-NEWS 51/2008 10. December 2008 - Malaria cases imported from the Gambia As detailed in the daily press, eight malaria cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum have recently been detected among Danish short-term charter tourists returning from the The Gambia. The current cluster of malaria cases may be caused by a number of factors including changed travel behaviour and changes in local malaria transmission patterns. A number of other European countries have also reported an increase in malaria cases from The Gambia, and unconfirmed information indicates that an increase in transmission rates may also be present among local inhabitants. Read more in EPI-NEWS 49/2008 10. December 2008 - Salmonella outbreak Denmark is currently experiencing a number of salmonella outbreaks. The largest outbreak is caused by Salmonella Typhimurium phage type U292. The main hypothesis is that the increase in salmonella is caused by fresh pork or pork products. This hypothesis is based on the previous finding of the concerned salmonella types in swine farms and on specific findings of the outbreak types U288 and U292 in fresh pork. The outbreaks represent an extraordinary situation in a country which is otherwise well-known for its considerable efforts to limit salmonella occurrence. To maintain Danish food safety, it is essential to identify the factors causing this extraordinary situation. The efforts to resolve the outbreaks therefore continue. Read more in EPI-NEWS 49/2008 3. December 2008 - MRSA outbreaks at neonatal departments 2008 has seen MRSA outbreaks at three hospitals and with three different spa types. MRSA spread in neonatal departments have not previously been an issue in Denmark, but the problem is well-known abroad. The substantial spread of the infection underlines the importance of adherence to general hygiene precautions, in particular at a busy neonatal department. Studies have shown that staphylococci in neonates may originate from the child’s parents or from staff, other parents or children. The risk of cross-contamination is therefore considerable and is mainly prevented through good hand hygiene among staff and parents. Information on MRSA-occurrence in infants is also of importance in connection with GP consultations and is provided by the hospital. Read more in EPI-NEWS 48/2008. 25. November 2008 - DANMAP 2007 The annual DANMAP report (Danish Integrated Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring and Research Programme) summarises the Danish consumption of antimicrobial agents used for animals and humans and follows the development of resistance in bacteria collected from animals, food and humans. The 2007 DANMAP report is available at www.danmap.org. Some of the main observations from the human area are described in EPI-NEWS 47/2008.
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