In the renewed WNV Preparedness Plan, Slovenia defined the roles and mutual information of stakeholders, measures for the safety of blood, transplanted cells, tissues and organs, and a greater possibility of detecting WNND. We do not yet have enough evidence on the safety and effectiveness of the use of biocides in the external environment, so the current version of the Plan is unlikely to change at least until the 2020 season. In the future, it is necessary to ensure continuous monitoring of WNV in humans and animals, strengthening the links between stakeholders in Slovenia and Europe (especially in the field of risk assessment and registration of biocides), reaching consensus on possible biocides for mosquito control in the environment, possible triggers and possible identification. areas of repression and by developing skills to monitor the effectiveness of repression. During the season, a rapid response will be required according to the current climatic, entomological, epizootiological and epidemiological situation. Upgrading preparedness and response experience will help us not only in managing the threat posed by WNV, but also other vector diseases, e.g. an indigenous Zika virus infection that was first demonstrated in Europe at the end of last season.
F.30 Professional assessment of the situation
COBISS.SI-ID: 14883075A rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) in Latin America and Caribbean posed a grave concern due to coincidence frequent reports of babies born with microcephaly. Thus, on 1 February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the clusters of cases of microcephaly and neurological disorders occurring in areas with Zika virus transmission represent a public health emergency of international concern. Thus, on February, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published the Preparedness Action Plan for the possible occurrence of ZIKV in Europe. There exists a possibility of introduction of Zika virus in Slovenia. Although there is a low probability that ZIKV will further spread in local environment, it was necessary to bring together the knowledge of experts, which have prepared the action plan in order to cope with the possible outbreak. The aim of preparedness action was to connect a network of experts from various fields who will regularly exchange key information, to set up recommendations for enhanced monitoring and action at the onset patients and to identify approaches for monitoring the occurrence and spread of non-native species of mosquito in Slovenia.
F.25 Development of new organisational structures and managerial solutions
COBISS.SI-ID: 4559333West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes. Birds are reservoir for the virus, humans, horses and other mammals are dead-end hosts and do not contribute to circulation and further spread of the virus in nature. The main vectors of WNV in Europe are the Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Infections caused by WNV in humans can vary in the presentation, from asymptomatic infections, West Nile fever (WNF) or West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND). First outbreak, caused by WNV in Europe was reported in Romania in 1996, and since then cases have been reported in several European countries: Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Montenegro, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine. Slovenia is a very heterogeneous country located on the transient area between the Balkans and Central Europe. The influence of the Mediterranean and the Alps is seen in the country and affects both fauna and flora. Slovenia is a stopover for migratory birds and therefore we see significant biodiversity in bird population. In 1995 serosurvey study of various arboviruses was performed on sera samples obtained from forest workers in Slovenia in order to estimate the extent of exposure of these viruses in population at risk. WNV specific IgG antibodies were confirmed in 6.8 % of the screened samples indicating, that WNV is circulating in Slovenia. No human disease cases were detected in Slovenia until 2013, when the first human case of WNV infection in Slovenia was confirmed in a retrospective study in a 79-year old man, who was hospitalised with meningitis. In 2018 three patients with WNND were confirmed by laboratory tests, with detection of IgM antibodies in the CSF of the patients. In one of the patients, WNV RNA was detected in the urine sample and in another one, we confirmed the viral RNA in the serum of the patient. During the same period WNV infection was confirmed in a horse and a bird in Slovenia. Additionally in 2017 and 2018 mosquito study was performed in Slovenia. Mosquitoes were sampled on 4 control locations and 10 additional locations in Slovenia. No WNV was detected in mosquitoes in 2017, but we were able to confirm the virus in a pool of Culex sp. mosquitoes in 2018. The virus was successfully isolated and complete genome sequence was acquired by deep sequencing. The whole genome of the WNV detected in the urine sample of a patient was also sequenced. The whole genome sequences confirmed that the Slovenian virus from both the mosquitoes and the patients belongs to WNV lineage 2 and is most similar to the sequences from Austrian isolates. Though Slovenia is not a highly endemic country for WNV, we have established that the virus circulates in Slovenia and in years of the more pronounced WNV outbreaks we can detect cases of the disease in humans
B.04 Guest lecture
COBISS.SI-ID: 34531289We are to blame for the invasion ourselves, by attracting them with water in cans on balconies, in barrels and inadequately laid-off tires. There are more than 3,500 mosquito species in the world, about 30 of which live in Slovenia, of which three are invasive. Tiger mosquitoes are particularly successful in urban centers. We have a preparedness plan for the emergence of the Chikunguu virus and west nile virus transmitted by native Culex mosquitoes.
B.06 Other
COBISS.SI-ID: 2049525Infectious diseases caused by biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions) can cause outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics. They may be due to the deliberate spread of biological agents (bioterrorism). The emergence and spread of infectious diseases is the result of human behavior, lifestyle, land use patterns, increased international trade and travel, inappropriate use of antibiotics. Microbes can be spread in different ways: by air, through food and water, by direct contact, with vectors (mosquitoes, ticks ...). Under European legislation and the International Health Regulations, all countries are committed to establishing a system of interdisciplinary responses to various risks to public health. Many representatives of medical and non-medical professions participate, in controlling infectious diseases (ID), which can present a high risk to public health. Especially at entry points in the country, this cooperation is very important. The participants in this process saw the need to connect and establish communication that would make it easier for everyone to act and ensure efficiency. With this document, we want to define a regular method of mutual information as part of the risk preparedness and risk management plan for ID.
F.25 Development of new organisational structures and managerial solutions
COBISS.SI-ID: 292469760