New Shamonda virus clades (SHAV-EU1 and SHAV-EU2) emerged in Europe in summer 2026, primarily affecting cattle. We report the first human infection with SHAV-EU1: a French patient with a severely weakened immune system developed fatal encephalitis in September 2026, 1 month after their allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Metatranscriptomics detected SHAV-EU1 in cerebrospinal fluid, confirmed by RT-PCR. Biopsies from central nervous system showed high viral loads. Investigations revealed SHAV-EU1 in serum, respiratory and stool samples at least for 2 months before encephalitis onset.
In Lombardy, northern Italy, 2026, the first neuroinvasive West Nile virus (WNV) human case was reported on 7 July. Concurrently, high abundances of Aedes caspius and low numbers of Culex pipiens occurred at several surveillance sites. Testing seven archived Ae. caspius pools collected in July revealed WNV lineage 2 in six pools from three independent sites. A virus sequence from Ae. caspius shared > 99.94% nt identity with contemporaneous human-derived sequences. Further investigating possible Ae. caspius vector competence, particularly for WNV lineage 2, is warranted.
BACKGROUND Inappropriate and excessive use of broad-spectrum antibiotics drives antimicrobial resistance. Gentamicin, an Access antibiotic in the WHO AWaRe framework with low resistance potential, has long been recommended in Norway for empirical treatment of serious infections. However, real-world data on aminoglycoside use remain limited. AIM We aimed to describe gentamicin and overall antibiotic use in Norway, including COVID-19 pandemic-related changes, and report the extent of gentamicin use across selected indications. METHODS Data were obtained from patients ≥ 20 years from 35 national point-prevalence surveys (2015–2023) across 68 Norwegian hospitals. RESULTS Among 241,546 hospitalised patients, 66,586 received antibiotics (yearly prevalence 26.9–28.1%), with the highest proportions in the 70–79 (26.4%) and ≥ 80 (23.4%) years age groups. Aminoglycosides, mainly gentamicin, ranked ninth among all antibiotic prescriptions. From 2021, third-generation cephalosporins (13–14%) surpassed β-lactamase–sensitive penicillins (12–13%). Gentamicin use increased from 4.1% in 2015 to 5.8% in 2023, mainly in combination with ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, or ampicillin plus metronidazole. Main indications were urinary tract, lower respiratory tract and intraabdominal infections, and sepsis. An increasing pre-COVID-19 pandemic trend in gentamicin use (β1: 0.105; p < 0.001) was no longer observed after the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic on the 11 March 2020 (β3: − 0.112; p = 0.013). CONCLUSION Gentamicin use among hospitalised patients in Norway remains low but appears higher than in other European countries. Increases in gentamicin use pre-COVID-19 pandemic were no longer observed after COVID-19, supporting the need for surveillance and antibiotic stewardship to minimise unnecessary use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
BACKGROUND Up to 2 July 2026, a total of 13 cases of Andes virus (ANDV) including three deaths were reported in connection to an outbreak on the cruise ship m/v Hondius, which departed from Argentina in April and subsequently travelled to Europe to evacuate the passengers. This event prompted all European health authorities to take action to limit the spread of the virus. AIM To synthesise current knowledge on ANDV, with particular attention on laboratory diagnosis and capability gaps. METHODS A literature search on ANDV was conducted, with a focus on human infection, transmission, outbreak investigations, countermeasures and diagnostics. To provide context for the ship-linked outbreak, updates from official public health sources, including the World Health Organization and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control were used. Moreover, activities by European Union Public Health Reference Laboratories for Emerging, Rodent-borne and Zoonotic Viral Pathogens (EURL-PH-ERZV) were briefly presented. RESULTS Andes virus is unique among hantaviruses because of sustained person-to-person transmission. Diagnosis relies on integration of clinical and epidemiological information with molecular detection of viral RNA or serological evidence. At the time of the outbreak, European diagnostic preparedness was generally well established, but important gaps remained prompting rapid support from the EURL-PH-ERZV. CONCLUSIONS The recent event demonstrated how a geographically restricted zoonotic infection can pose public health challenges beyond endemic areas. This highlights the need for strong collaboration between clinical services, public health authorities and reference laboratories to strengthen surveillance, early detection, risk assessment and diagnostic preparedness for emerging pathogens.
BACKGROUND Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, stringent public health measures were taken during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020). AIM We describe SARS-CoV-2 transmission among Games participants and in-person contributors (GPIPC)s. METHODS Tokyo 2020-related SARS-CoV-2 infection cases were individuals linked to the event, testing positive for the virus between 1 July−19 September 2021, reported to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Attack rates among athletes and team officials were determined. Enhanced case-based surveillance integrating genomic sequencing data supported viral spread investigations among various GPIPC groups. RESULTS A total 804 cases (median age: 35 years, interquartile range (IQR): 27–45; 194 female/610 male) were reported. Among athletes and team officials, attack rates were 0.6% (65/11,400) in Olympic Games and 0.6% (30/4,800) in Paralympic Games. These 95 infections concerned mainly overseas travellers (n = 92), 85 of whom were diagnosed within 14 days of arrival in Japan. Among the 804 cases, whole-genome sequencing data were obtained for 304 (median age: 38 years, IQR: 29–47; 67 female/237 male) with sufficient viral load (as indicated by RT-PCR Cq ≤ 32), including 79% (75/95) of athletes and team officials cases, 74% (131/176) of Games’ organisers and media cases, and ˂ 20% (98/533) of remaining cases. Delta variants dominated (94%; 285/304), with domestic (AY.29 lineage) Delta strains prominent among Delta-variant-affected resident cases (96%; 104/108) and Games’ organisers and media cases diagnosed ≥ 15 days after entering Japan (97%; 63/65). Overseas Delta strains mostly affected travellers within 14 days of entry, particularly athletes and team officials (97%; 66/68) and Games’ organisers and media (29/34). CONCLUSION Multilayered-risk-reduction measures likely minimised SARS-CoV-2 transmission to athletes.
