Ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A associated with sexual transmission among men who have sex with men, Portugal, October 2023 to April 2024.

An outbreak of hepatitis A is ongoing in Portugal, with 71 confirmed cases from 7 October 2023 to 24 April 2024. Most cases are male, aged 18-44 years, with many identifying as men who have sex with men (MSM) and reported as suspected sexual transmission. Phylogenetic analysis identified the subgenotype IA, VRD 521-2016 strain, last observed in an MSM-associated multi-country outbreak in 2016 to 2018. We wish to alert colleagues in other countries to investigate potential similar spread.

Climate change, human migration and health nexus: what do we know about public health implications on a global scale?

OBJECTIVE: to address the nexus among climate change, migration, and health at global and Italian levels. DESIGN: narrative review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: comprehensive, critical, and objective analysis of the current knowledge on the topic by searching online databases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: evidence from the literature examining health issues associated with migration in the context of climate change. RESULTS: anthropogenic climate change has recently influenced the scale and patterns of human mobility, not only as a driver of migration, but also by interacting with and amplifying the effects of migration determinants, including health determinants. Despite research focusing on the distinct relationship between climate change and migration, as well as climate change and health, little attention has been paid to the nexus among climate change, migration, and health. Evidence available examining various health issues associated with migration in the context of climate change include changing patterns of infectious diseases and their risks, rising cases of malnutrition, trauma and injuries, changing patterns of noncommunicable diseases, impact on mental health. Inadequacy of access to health services due to the weakening and overstretching health systems also plays an important role. In a country like Italy, even if the immediate threats posed by climate change differ from one area to another, these threats are already exacerbating the country's existing infrastructure deficiencies, industrial pollution, and hydrogeological and seismic vulnerability. In addition, Italy has historically been a destination country of immigrant afflux through different migration routes. It is possible that the consequences of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa will drive a growing number of people to cross the sea to reach Europe, specifically Italy. Conclusions: climate change, human migration, and health should be considered as an interconnected and complex issue. A shift to climate resilient health systems' is a useful precautionary measure as it aims to strengthen multiple aspects of national and sub-national health systems, regardless of the extent to which climate-related migration might occur.

Community socioeconomic deprivation and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk: findings from Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic differences have been observed in the risk of acquiring infectious diseases, but evidence regarding SARS-CoV-2 remains sparse. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and socioeconomic deprivation, exploring whether this association varied according to different phases of the national pandemic response. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Data routinely collected for patients with a laboratorial result recorded in SINAVE®, between 2 March and 14 June 2020, were analysed. Socioeconomic deprivation was assessed using quintiles of the European Deprivation Index (Q1-least deprived to Q5-most deprived). Response phases were defined as before, during and after the national State of Emergency. Associations were estimated using multilevel analyses. RESULTS: The study included 223 333 individuals (14.7% were SARS-CoV-2 positive cases). SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence ratio increased with deprivation [PR(Q1)=Ref; PR(Q2)=1.37 (95% CI 1.19-1.58), PR(Q3)=1.48 (95% CI 1.26-1.73), PR(Q4)=1.73 (95% CI 1.47-2.04), PR(Q5)=2.24 (95% CI 1.83-2.75)]. This was observed during the State of Emergency [PR(Q5)=2.09 (95% CI 1.67-2.62)] and more pronounced after the State of Emergency [PR(Q5)= 3.43 (95% CI 2.66-4.44)]. CONCLUSION: The effect of socioeconomic deprivation in the SARS-CoV-2 infection risk emerged after the implementation of the first State of Emergency in Portugal, and became more pronounced as social distancing policies eased. Decision-makers should consider these results when deliberating future mitigation measures.

Risk of COVID-19 in Health Professionals: A Case-Control Study, Portugal.

Introduction: Health professionals face higher occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to estimate the risk of COVID-19 test positivity in health professionals compared to non-health professionals. Methods: We conducted a test-negative case-control study using Portuguese national surveillance data (January to May 2020). Cases were suspected cases who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; controls were suspected cases who tested negative. We used multivariable logistic regression modelling to estimate the odds ratio of a positive COVID-19 test (RT-PCR; primary outcome), comparing health professionals and non-health professionals (primary exposure), and adjusting for the confounding effect of demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics, and the modification effect of the self-reported epidemiological link (i.e., self-reported contact with a COVID-19 case or person with COVID-19-like symptoms). Results: Health professionals had a 2-fold higher risk of a positive COVID-19 test result (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.69-2.11). However, this association was strongly modified by the self-report of an epidemiological link such that, among cases who did report an epidemiological link, being a health professional was a protective factor (aOR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.98). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that health professionals might be primarily infected by unknown contacts, plausibly in the healthcare setting, but also that their occupational exposure does not systematically translate into a higher risk of transmission. We suggest that this could be interpreted in light of different types and timing of exposure, and variability in risk perception and associated preventive behaviours.

Introdução: Os profissionais de saúde têm uma maior exposição profissional à SARS-CoV-2. O objetivo era estimar o risco de testar positivo para SARS-CoV-2 em profissionais de saúde. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo testenegativo caso-controlo utilizando os dados de vigilância epidemiológica nacional (Janeiro­Maio 2020). Casos foram definidos como casos suspeitos que testaram positivo para SARS-CoV-2 (RTPCR), e os controlos como casos suspeitos que testaram negativo. Foi aplicado um modelo de regressão logística multivariável para estimar o odds ratio de teste positivo para SARS-CoV-2, comparando profissionais de saúde e não profissionais de saúde, ajustado para as características demográficas, clínicas e epidemiológicas, e a modificação de efeito com o autorrelato duma ligação epidemiológica (i.e., contacto auto-reportado com um caso COVID-19 ou uma pessoa com sintomas semelhantes aos da COVID-19). Resultados: Os profissionais de saúde tiveram um risco duas vezes maior de testar positivo para SARS-CoV-2 (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.69­2.11). No entanto, esta associação era fortemente modificada pelo autorrelato de uma ligação epidemiológica, de tal forma que entre os casos que relataram uma ligação epidemiológica, ser profissional de saúde revelou-se fator de proteção (aOR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82­0.98). Conclusão: Os nossos resultados sugerem que os profissionais de saúde podem estar infetados principalmente por contactos desconhecidos, plausivelmente em instituições de saúde, e a exposição profissional não se traduz sistematicamente num maior risco de transmissão. Isto poderá ser interpretado à luz de diferentes tipos e tempos de exposição, e da variabilidade na perceção do risco e dos comportamentos preventivos associados.

Clinical and hospitalisation predictors of COVID-19 in the first month of the pandemic, Portugal.

COVID-19 mainly presents as a respiratory disease with flu-like symptoms, however, recent findings suggest that non-respiratory symptoms can occur early in the infection and cluster together in different groups in different regions. We collected surveillance data among COVID-19 suspected cases tested in mainland Portugal during the first wave of the pandemic, March-April 2020. A multivariable logistic-regression analysis was performed to ascertain the effects of age, sex, prior medical condition and symptoms on the likelihood of testing positive and hospitalisation. Of 25,926 COVID-19 suspected cases included in this study, 5,298 (20%) tested positive. Symptoms were grouped into ten clusters, of which two main ones: one with cough and fever and another with the remainder. There was a higher odds of a positive test with increasing age, myalgia and headache. The odds of being hospitalised increased with age, presence of fever, dyspnoea, or having a prior medical condition although these results varied by region. Presence of cough and other respiratory symptoms did not predict COVID-19 compared to non-COVID respiratory disease patients in any region. Dyspnoea was a strong determinant of hospitalisation, as well as fever and the presence of a prior medical condition, whereas these results varied by region.

Mumps outbreak among fully vaccinated school-age children and young adults, Portugal 2019/2020.

On 16-17 January 2020, four suspected mumps cases were reported to the local Public Health Authorities with an epidemiological link to a local school and football club. Of 18 suspected cases identified, 14 were included in this study. Laboratory results confirmed mumps virus as the cause and further sequencing identified genotype G. Our findings highlight that even with a high MMR vaccine coverage, mumps outbreaks in children and young adults can occur. Since most of the cases had documented immunity for mumps, we hypothesise that waning immunity or discordant mumps virus strains are likely explanations for this outbreak.

Burden and Trends of Severe Rotavirus Infections and Allcause Acute Gastroenteritis Hospital Episodes in Children Under Five Years Old in Mainland Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus infections are a leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in children under five years old. In December 2019, Portugal announced the inclusion of the rotavirus vaccine, already available for private purchase, in the National Immunization Program. We present the first nationwide analysis of the burden and trends of rotavirus and acute gastroenteritis hospital episodes in children under five years old in mainland Portugal (2014 - 2017). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the hospital morbidity database and the Death Certificate Information System to identify hospital episodes and deaths of rotavirus and acute gastroenteritis based on the codes of the International Classification of Diseases. We described the number and rates of hospital episodes disaggregated by age group, sex, geographical units, and the seasonality and trends over the study period. RESULTS: On average, during the study period, there were 1985 annual hospital episodes among children under five years old. The annual rate was 48.0/10 000 children (95% CI 46.9 - 49.0). Rates were consistently higher in younger children, and 67.8% episodes occurred in children under 24 months. We found a seasonal pattern with a major peak in the early spring. DISCUSSION: Our results were consistent with the current knowledge on rotavirus and acute gastroenteritis hospital episodes in Europe. Additional studies are needed to identify the risk factors and high-risk groups for hospital attendance. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus and acute gastroenteritis hospital episodes in children under five years old in mainland Portugal represent an important health and economic burden. In the future, monitoring this burden and these trends in relation with rotavirus vaccine coverage could be useful in order to assess the impact of the vaccination programme on the change in hospital episodes.

Introdução: As infeções por rotavírus são uma das principais causas de gastroenterite aguda grave em crianças com menos de cinco anos. Em dezembro de 2019, foi anunciada a inclusão da vacina contra rotavírus, já disponível no mercado privado, no Programa Nacional de Vacinação. Esta é a primeira análise nacional da carga e tendência dos episódios hospitalares de rotavírus e gastroenterite aguda grave em crianças com menos de cinco anos em Portugal continental (2014 - 2017). Material e Métodos: Utilizou-se a base de dados de morbilidade hospitalar e o sistema de informação de certificados de óbito para identificar episódios hospitalares e mortes por rotavírus e gastroenterite aguda grave, a partir de códigos da classificação internacional de doenças. Descreveu-se o número e as taxas de episódios hospitalares, desagregadas por grupo etário, sexo, geografia, e a sazonalidade e tendências ao longo do período em estudo. Resultados: Em média, houve 1985 episódios hospitalares anuais em crianças com menos de cinco anos. A taxa anual foi de 48,0/ 10 000 crianças (95% IC 46,9 - 49,0). A taxa de hospitalização foi consistentemente mais elevada em crianças mais jovens, e 67,8% dos episódios ocorreram em crianças com menos de 24 meses. Relativamente à sazonalidade, encontrámos um pico no início da Primavera. Discussão: Os resultados foram consistentes com os conhecimentos atuais sobre rotavírus e episódios hospitalares de gastroenterite aguda grave na Europa. São necessários estudos adicionais para identificar os fatores e grupos de risco de infeções graves. Conclusão: Em Portugal Continental, os episódios hospitalares de rotavírus e gastroenterite aguda grave em crianças de idade inferior a cinco anos têm um impacto negativo relevante na saúde e na economia. No futuro, e na perspetiva da introdução da vacinação para o rotavírus, estes indicadores serão relevantes para monitorizar o impacto do programa de vacinação na diminuição dos episódios hospitalares.

Surveillance of malaria in mainland Portugal in 2016 after the introduction of an electronic system: is it enough?

Since 2014, imported cases of malaria have been notified by SINAVE, the Portuguese nationwide electronic surveillance system that replaced paper-based notification. Nevertheless, the disease is still believed to be under-reported. Completeness of notification of malaria cases in 2016 was estimated using a two-source capture-recapture method, with SINAVE and the Diagnostic-Related Group cases. Completeness of SINAVE and the diagnosis-related group sources was computed in 32.9% and 72.3%, respectively. The results confirm that malaria is under-reported and highlight the need for more effective notification strategies, especially given the risk of resurgence of locally acquired cases.

Measles outbreak in a tertiary level hospital, Porto, Portugal, 2018: challenges in the post-elimination era.

A measles outbreak has been occurring in a healthcare setting in Porto, Portugal, since early March 2018, posing public health challenges for a central hospital and the community. Up to 22 April, 96 cases were confirmed, 67 in vaccinated healthcare workers, mostly between 18-39 years old. Following identification of the first cases, control measures were rapidly implemented. Concomitantly, other measles cases were notified in the Northern Region of the country. No common epidemiological link was identified.

Effects of the financial crisis and Troika austerity measures on health and health care access in Portugal.

Although Portugal has been deeply affected by the global financial crisis, the impact of the recession and subsequent austerity on health and to health care has attracted relatively little attention. We used several sources of data including the European Union Statistics for Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) which tracks unmet medical need during the recession and before and after the Troika's austerity package. Our results show that the odds of respondents reporting having an unmet medical need more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 (OR=2.41, 95% CI 2.01-2.89), with the greatest impact on those in employment, followed by the unemployed, retired, and other economically inactive groups. The reasons for not seeking care involved a combination of factors, with a 68% higher odds of citing financial barriers (OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.32-2.12), more than twice the odds of citing waiting times and inability to take time off work or family responsibilities (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.20-3.98), and a large increase of reporting delaying care in the hope that the problem would resolve on its own (OR=13.98, 95% CI 6.51-30.02). Individual-level studies from Portugal also suggest that co-payments at primary and hospital level are having a negative effect on the most vulnerable living in disadvantaged areas, and that health care professionals have concerns about the impact of recession and subsequent austerity measures on the quality of care provided. The Portuguese government no longer needs external assistance, but these findings suggest that measures are now needed to mitigate the damage incurred by the crisis and austerity.

A desk review on institutional and non-institutional organizations active in the field of migrant's health in the WHO European Region.

BACKGROUND: Migrants have problematic access to health-care; non-institutional organizations (NGOs), as well as institutional bodies may play a role in facilitating their access to mainstream health care. AIM: Our research reviews actions that address the need of migrants in terms of health care in order to understand how, where, and who participates in this effort. METHOD: Data were from desk or web research, declaration from organisations and their websites, information from WHO Country Offices. RESULTS: 154 NGOs were identified in the WHO European Region. 58% were direct health care providers while the remaining provided either mediation services or were part of a network organization. 173 national institutes (GOVs) were found; less than the 20% were directly or indirectly involved in health care, whereas the majority were involved in research, policy development, international relations and human rights. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Some gaps, a certain fragmentation and lack of coordination were identified. WHO can play an overarching role in the exchange of expertise and harmonisation of the efforts in this field.