Multi-country outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children, 2022.

AIM: To describe epidemiological characteristics of multi-country outbreak of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children in 2022. METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological study design was used. The review based on the available information concerning this multi-country outbreak aims to summarise the current knowledge about the severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children, highlights the suggested working hypotheses, introduces some of the potential explanations for its occurrence and reports on public health measures undertaken to control the disease. RESULTS: Since the first 10 cases of severe acute hepatitis of unknown origin in children in the United Kingdom on 5 April 2022, and up until the 29 August 2022, more than 1000 probable cases have been reported in 35 countries in the world. Up to today, 22 children died in this multi-country outbreak. Despite the numerous theories that have been suggested on the possible underlying causes of the outbreak, an association with hepatitis A-E viruses has been excluded. Adenovirus serotype 41 has been detected in numerous cases, which makes it the most likely underlying cause of the disease. CONCLUSION: Efficient surveillance and comprehension advancements of the epidemiology of this disease are especially important for effective prevention and outbreak response.

Burden of infectious disease studies in Europe and the United Kingdom: a review of methodological design choices.

This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 2000 and 2014. Almost all studies (97%) estimated DALYs based on the incidence- and pathogen-based approach and without social weighting functions; however, there was less methodological consensus with regards to the disability weights and life tables that were applied. The number of burden of infectious disease studies undertaken across Europe has increased over time. Development and use of guidelines will promote performing burden of infectious disease studies and facilitate comparability of the results.

Historical review: Towards the 50th anniversary of the last major smallpox outbreak (Yugoslavia, 1972).

In 1972, Yugoslavia experienced the largest outbreak of smallpox in the history of Europe following the Second World War and its first smallpox outbreak after 1930. The origin of the infection is believed to be a pilgrim who visited countries in the Middle East. In this epidemic in Yugoslavia, from 16th February to 11th April 1972, a total of 175 people fell ill, 35 (20%) of whom died. Measures against the outbreak were based on the strategy that was common in the final phase of the smallpox eradication program. It started with active surveillance and rapid identification of new cases. Measures, such as mass vaccination and quarantine of direct contacts, were promptly taken. In a few weeks, 18 million people had been vaccinated and approximately 15,000 had been quarantined. Yugoslavia was declared free of smallpox on 9th May 1972. The global community today is confronted with serious threats from infectious diseases, which can appear as outbreaks and pandemics.

THE DIFFERENCES IN STUDENTS' ATTITUDES ABOUT ONLINE TEACHING DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This study aims to examine differences in students' attitudes about online teaching, more precisely on the use of the Google classroom platform during a pandemic and their opinions on the quality of such teaching concerning classic teaching. The questionnaire was conducted to the third-grade university students divided into two groups: preschool teachers (n=65) and primary school teachers (n=64). A student attitude survey contained 15 items on a 7-point Likert-type scale with two open-ended questions regarding their problems and difficulties in online learning during the coronavirus pandemic in the Republic of Serbia and their opinion about advantages and disadvantages of distance over the classic learning. Results revealed that there are statistically significant differences among two groups of students (preschool teachers and primary school teachers), at the level of significance at .005 at the total result at the questionnaire. Students reported that one of the advantages of distance learning was that they had additional knowledge and skills on the use of technology and that they can choose the time and place for solving the tasks of the classes. As the disadvantage of distance learning is that human contact is lost and they do not get feedback instantly, comparing to classical education.