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Document 32008D0426

    2008/426/EC: Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC laying down case definitions for reporting communicable diseases to the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document number C(2008) 1589) (Text with EEA relevance)

    OJ L 159, 18.6.2008, p. 46–90 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

    Legal status of the document No longer in force, Date of end of validity: 25/07/2018; Implicitly repealed by 32018D0945

    ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/426/oj

    18.6.2008   

    EN

    Official Journal of the European Union

    L 159/46


    COMMISSION DECISION

    of 28 April 2008

    amending Decision 2002/253/EC laying down case definitions for reporting communicable diseases to the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council

    (notified under document number C(2008) 1589)

    (Text with EEA relevance)

    (2008/426/EC)

    THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

    Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

    Having regard to Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (1), and in particular Article 3(c) thereof,

    Whereas:

    (1)

    According to Article 2 of Commission Decision 2002/253/EC (2) the case definitions laid down in Annex to that Decision should be updated to the extent necessary on the basis of the latest scientific data.

    (2)

    In accordance with Article 9 of the Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a European Centre for disease prevention and control (3) (ECDC), the ECDC provided, at the request of the Commission and in agreement with its Advisory Forum, a technical document on case definitions aiding the Commission in the development of intervention strategies in the field of surveillance and response. The technical document has been further published on the web site of the ECDC. The case definitions listed in the Annex to Decision 2002/253/EC should be updated on the basis of this contribution.

    (3)

    Those case definitions have the purpose of facilitating the reporting on the diseases and special health issues listed in Annex I to Commission Decision 2000/96/EC of 22 December 1999 on the communicable diseases to be progressively covered by the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4). Decision 2002/253/EC however does not entail any reporting obligation.

    (4)

    The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up by Decision No 2119/98/EC,

    HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

    Article 1

    The Annex to Decision 2002/253/EC is replaced by the Annex to this Decision.

    Article 2

    This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

    Done at Brussels, 28 April 2008.

    For the Commission

    Androulla VASSILIOU

    Member of the Commission


    (1)   OJ L 268, 3.10.1998, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Commission Decision 2007/875/EC (OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 48)

    (2)   OJ L 86, 3.4.2002, p. 44. Decision as amended by Decision 2003/534/EC (OJ L 184, 23.7.2003, p. 35)

    (3)   OJ L 142, 30.4.2004, p. 1

    (4)   OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p. 50. Decision as last amended by Decision 2007/875/EC.


    ANNEX

    EXPLANATION OF THE SECTIONS USED FOR THE DEFINITION AND CLASSIFICATION OF CASES

    Clinical criteria

    These should include common and relevant signs and symptoms of the disease which either individually or in combination constitutes a clear or indicative clinical picture of the disease. The clinical criteria give the general outline of the disease and do not necessarily indicate all the features needed for individual clinical diagnosis.

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria should be a list of laboratory methods that are used to confirm a case. Usually only one of the listed tests will be enough to confirm the case. If a combination of methods is needed to meet the laboratory confirmation, this is specified. The type of specimen to be collected for the laboratory tests is only specified when only certain specimen types are considered relevant for the confirmation of a diagnosis. For some agreed exceptions, laboratory criteria for a probable case are included. This is a list of laboratory methods which can be used to support the diagnosis of a case but which are not confirmatory.

    Epidemiological criteria and epidemiological link

    Epidemiological criteria are deemed to have been met when an epidemiological link can be established.

    Epidemiological link, during the incubation period, is defined as one of the six following:

    human to human transmission: Any person who has had contact with a laboratory confirmed human case in such a way as to have had the opportunity to acquire the infection,

    animal to human transmission: Any person who has had contact with an animal with a laboratory confirmed infection/colonisation in such a way as to have had the opportunity to acquire the infection,

    exposure to a common source: Any person who has been exposed to the same common source or vehicle of infection, as a confirmed human case,

    exposure to contaminated food/drinking water: Any person who has consumed food or drinking water with a laboratory confirmed contamination or a person who has consumed potentially contaminated products from an animal with a laboratory confirmed infection/colonisation,

    environmental exposure: Any person who has bathed in water or has had contact with a contaminated environmental source that has been laboratory confirmed,

    laboratory exposure: Any person working in a laboratory where there is a potential for exposure.

    A person may be considered epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case if at least one case in the chain of transmission is laboratory confirmed. In case of an outbreak of faeco-oral or airborne transmitted infections, the chain of transmission does not necessarily need to be established to consider a case epidemiologically linked.

    Transmission may occur by one or more of the following routes:

    airborne, by projection of aerosol from an infected person onto the mucous membranes while coughing, spitting, singing or talking, or when microbial aerosols dispersed into the atmosphere are inhaled by others,

    contact, direct contact with an infected person (faecal-oral, respiratory droplets, skin or sexual exposure) or animal (e.g. biting, touching) or indirect contact to infected materials or objects (infected fomites, body fluids, blood),

    vertical, from mother to child, often in utero, or as a result of the incidental exchange of body fluids usually during the perinatal period,

    vector transmission, indirect transmission by infected mosquitoes, mites, flies and other insects which transmit disease to humans through their bites,

    food or water, consumption of potentially contaminated food or drinking water.

    Case classification

    Cases will be classified as ‘possible’, ‘probable’ and ‘confirmed’. The incubation periods for diseases are given in the additional information to facilitate the assessment of the epidemiological link.

    Possible case

    Defined as a case that is classified as possible for reporting purposes. It is usually a case with the clinical criteria as described in the case definition without epidemiological or laboratory evidence of the disease in question. The definition of a possible case has high sensitivity and low specificity. It allows for detection of most cases but some false positives cases will be included into this category.

    Probable case

    Defined as a case that is classified as probable for reporting purposes. It is usually a case with clinical criteria and an epidemiological link as described in the case definition. Laboratory tests for probable cases are specified only for some diseases.

    Confirmed case

    Defined as a case that is classified as confirmed for reporting purposes. Confirmed cases should be laboratory confirmed and may fulfil the clinical criteria or not as described in the case definition. The definition of a confirmed case is highly specific and less sensitive; therefore most of the collected cases will be true cases although some will be missed.

    The clinical criteria of some diseases do not allude to the fact that many acute cases are asymptomatic, (e.g. hepatitis A, B and C, campylobacter, salmonellosis) although these cases may still be important from a public health perspective on national level.

    Confirmed cases will fall in one of the three subcategories listed below. These subcategories will be created during the analysis of data using the variables collected with the case information.

    Laboratory-confirmed case with clinical criteria

    The case meets the laboratory criteria for case confirmation and the clinical criteria included in the case definition.

    Laboratory-confirmed case with unknown clinical criteria

    The case meets the laboratory criteria for case confirmation but there is no information available regarding the clinical criteria (e.g. only laboratory report).

    Laboratory-confirmed case without clinical criteria

    The case meets the laboratory criteria for case confirmation but doesn't meet the clinical criteria in the case definition or is asymptomatic.

    ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) AND HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) INFECTION

    Clinical criteria (AIDS)

    Any person who has any of the clinical conditions as defined in the European AIDS case definition for:

    Adults and adolescents ≥ 13 years (1)

    Children < 13 years of age (2)

    Laboratory criteria (HIV)

    Adults, adolescents and children aged ≥ 18 months

    At least one of the following three:

    Positive result of a HIV screening antibody test or a combined screening test (HIV antibody and HIV p24 antigen) confirmed by a more specific antibody test (e.g. Western blot)

    Positive result of 2 EIA antibody test confirmed by a positive result of a further EIA test

    Positive results on two separate specimens from at least one of the following three:

    Detection of HIV nucleic acid (HIV-RNA, HIV-DNA)

    Demonstration of HIV by HIV p24 antigen test, including neutralisation assay

    Isolation of HIV

    Children aged < 18 months

    Positive results on two separate specimens (excluding cord blood) from at least one of the following three:

    Isolation of HIV

    Detection of HIV nucleic acid (HIV-RNA, HIV-DNA)

    Demonstration of HIV by HIV p24 antigen test, including neutralisation assay in a child ≥1 month of age

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    HIV infection

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for HIV infection

    AIDS

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria for AIDS and the laboratory criteria for HIV infection

    ANTHRAX

    (Bacillus anthracis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Cutaneous anthrax

    At least one the following two:

    Papular or vesicular lesion

    Depressed black eschar with surrounding oedema

    Gastrointestinal anthrax

    Fever or feverishness

    AND at least one of the following two:

    Severe abdominal pain

    Diarrhoea

    Inhalational anthrax

    Fever or feverishness

    AND at least one of the following two:

    Acute respiratory distress

    Radiological evidence of mediastinal widening

    Meningeal/meningoencephalitic anthrax

    Fever

    AND at least one of the following three:

    Convulsions

    Loss of consciousness

    Meningeal signs

    Anthrax septicaemia

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Bacillus anthracis from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Bacillus anthracis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Positive nasal swab without clinical symptoms does not contribute to a confirmed diagnosis of a case.

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    AVIAN INFLUENZA A/H5 OR A/H5N1 IN HUMANS

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with one of the following two:

    Fever AND signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infection

    Death from an unexplained acute respiratory illness

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of influenza A/H5N1 from a clinical specimen

    Detection of influenza A/H5 nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Influenza A/H5 specific antibody response (fourfold or greater rise or single high titre)

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Human to human transmission by having been in close contact (within one metre) to a person reported as probable or confirmed case

    Laboratory exposure: where there is a potential exposure to influenza A/H5N1

    Close contact (within one metre) with an animal with confirmed A/H5N1 infection other than poultry or wild birds (e.g. cat or pig)

    Reside in or have visited an area where influenza A/H5N1 is currently suspected or confirmed (3) AND at least one of the following two:

    Having been in close contact (within one metre) with sick or dead domestic poultry or wild birds (4) in the affected area

    Having been in a home or a farm where sick or dead domestic poultry have been reported in the previous month in the affected area

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the epidemiological criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person with a positive test for influenza A/H5 or A/H5N1 performed by a laboratory which is not a National Reference Laboratory participating in the EU Community Network of Reference Laboratories for human influenza (CNRL)

    C.   Nationally confirmed case

    Any person with a positive test for influenza A/H5 or A/H5N1 performed by a National Reference Laboratory participating in the EU Community Network of Reference Laboratories for human influenza (CNRL)

    D.   WHO confirmed case

    Any person with a laboratory confirmation by a WHO Collaborating Centre for H5

    BOTULISM

    (Clostridium botulinum)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Food-borne and wound botulism

    At least one of the following two:

    Bilateral cranial nerve impairment (e.g. diplopia, blurred vision, dysphagia, bulbar weakness)

    Peripheral symmetric paralysis

    Infant botulism

    Any infant with at least one of the following six:

    Constipation

    Lethargy

    Poor feeding

    Ptosis

    Dysphagia

    General muscle weakness

    The type of botulism usually encountered in infants (< 12 months of age) can affect children also over 12 months of age and occasionally adults, with altered gastrointestinal anatomy and microflora.

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of C. botulinum for infant botulism (stool) or wound botulism (wound) (isolation of C. botulinum in stool of adults not relevant for the diagnosis of food-borne botulism)

    Detection of botulinum toxin in a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source (e.g. food, sharing of needles or other devices)

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    BRUCELLOSIS

    (Brucella spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever

    AND at least one of following seven:

    Sweating (profuse, malodorous, specially nocturnal)

    Chills

    Arthralgia

    Weakness

    Depression

    Headache

    Anorexia

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Brucella spp. from a clinical specimen

    Brucella specific antibody response (Standard Agglutination Test, Complement Fixation, ELISA)

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four epidemiological links:

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Exposure to products from a contaminated animal (milk or milk products)

    Animal to human transmission (contaminated secretions or organs e.g. vaginal discharge, placenta)

    Exposure to a common source

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS

    (Campylobacter spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following three:

    Diarrhoea

    Abdominal pain

    Fever

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Campylobacter spp. from stool or blood

    Differentiation of Campylobacter spp. should be performed if possible

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following five epidemiological links:

    Animal to human transmission

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    CHLAMYDIAL INFECTION

    (Chlamydia trachomatis)

    INCLUDING LYMPHOGRANULOMA VENEREUM (LGV)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Chlamydial infection non-LGV

    At least one of the following six:

    Urethritis

    Epididymitis

    Acute salpingitis

    Acute endometritis

    Cervicitis

    Proctitis

    In newborn children at least one of the following two:

    Conjunctivitis

    Pneumonia

    LGV

    At least one of the following five:

    Urethritis

    Genital ulcer

    Inguinal lymphadenopathy

    Cervicitis

    Proctitis

    Laboratory criteria

    Chlamydial infection non-LGV

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from a specimen of the ano-genital tract or from the conjunctiva

    Demonstration of Chlamydia trachomatis by DFA test in a clinical specimen

    Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    LGV

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Chlamydia trachomatis from a specimen of the ano-genital tract or from the conjunctiva

    Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    AND

    Identification of serovar (genovar) L1, L2 or L3

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by Human to human transmission (sexual contact or vertical transmission)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    CHOLERA

    (Vibrio cholerae)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Diarrhoea

    Vomiting

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from a clinical specimen

    AND

    Demonstration of O1 or O139 antigen in the isolate

    AND

    Demonstration of cholera-enterotoxin or the cholera-enterotoxin gene in the isolate

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    VARIANT CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE (VCJD)

    Preconditions

    Any person with a progressive neuropsychiatric disorder with a duration of illness of at least six months

    Routine investigations do not suggest an alternative diagnosis

    No history of exposure to human pituitary hormones or human dura mater graft

    No evidence of a genetic form of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least four of the following five:

    Early psychiatric symptoms (5)

    Persistent painful sensory symptoms (6)

    Ataxia

    Myoclonus or chorea or dystonia

    Dementia

    Diagnostic criteria

    Diagnostic criteria for case confirmation:

    Neuropathological confirmation: spongiform change and extensive prion protein deposition with florid plaques throughout the cerebrum and cerebellum

    Diagnostic criteria for a probable or a possible case:

    EEG does not show the typical appearance (7) of sporadic CJD (8) in the early stages of the illness

    Bilateral pulvinar high signal on MRI brain scan

    A positive tonsil biopsy (9)

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission (e.g. blood transfusion)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person fulfilling the preconditions

    AND

    meeting the clinical criteria

    AND

    a negative EEG for sporadic CJD (8)

    B.   Probable case

    Any person fulfilling the preconditions

    AND

    meeting the clinical criteria

    AND

    a negative EEG for sporadic CJD (8)

    AND

    a positive MRI brain scan

    OR

    Any person fulfilling the preconditions

    AND

    a positive tonsil biopsy

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person fulfilling the preconditions

    AND

    meeting the diagnostic criteria for case confirmation

    CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS

    (Cryptosporidium spp)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Diarrhoea

    Abdominal pain

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Demonstration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in stool

    Demonstration of Cryptosporidium in intestinal fluid or small-bowel biopsy specimens

    Detection of Cryptosporidium nucleic acid in stool

    Detection of Cryptosporidium antigen in stool

    Epidemiological criteria

    One of the following five epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    DIPHTHERIA

    (Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Respiratory diphtheria:

    An upper respiratory tract illness with fever AND one of the following two:

    Croup

    OR

    an adherent membrane in at least one of the following three locations:

    Tonsil

    Pharynx

    Nose

    Nasal diphtheria:

    Uni- or bilateral nasal discharge initially clear and becoming bloody

    Cutaneous diphtheria:

    Skin lesion

    Diphtheria of other sites:

    Lesion of conjunctiva or mucous membranes

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of toxin-producing C. diphtheriae or C. ulcerans from a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria for respiratory diphtheria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria for diphtheria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    ECHINOCOCCOSIS

    (Echinococcus spp)

    Clinical criteria

    Not relevant for surveillance purposes

    Diagnostic criteria

    At least one of the following five:

    Histopathology or parasitology compatible with Echinococcus multilocularis or granulosus (e.g. direct isvisualisation of the protoscolex in cyst fluid)

    Detection of Echinoccocus granulosus pathognomonic macroscopic morphology of cyst(s) in surgical specimens

    Typical organ lesions detected by imaging techniques (e.g.: computerised tomography, sonography, MRI) AND confirmed by a serological test

    Echinococcus spp. specific serum antibodies by high-sensitivity serological test AND confirmed by a high specificity serological test

    Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis or granulosus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the diagnostic criteria

    SHIGA/VERO TOXIN PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTION (STEC/VTEC)

    Clinical criteria

    STEC/VTEC diarrhoea

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Diarrhoea

    Abdominal pain

    HUS

    Any person with acute renal failure and at least one of the following two:

    Microangiopatic haemolytic anaemia

    Thrombocytopenia

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Shigatoxin/Verotoxin (STEC/VTEC) producing E. coli

    Detection of stx1 or stx2 gene(s) nucleic acid

    Detection of free shigatoxins.

    Only for HUS the following can be used as laboratory criterion to confirm STEC/VTEC:

    E. coli serogroups specific antibody response

    Isolation and additional ischaracterisation by serotype, phage type, eae genes, and subtypes of stx1/stx2 should be performed if possible

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following five epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case of STEC-associated HUS

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria for HUS

    B.   Probable case of STEC/VTEC

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link or a laboratory confirmed case without clinical criteria

    C.   Confirmed case of STEC/VTEC

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    GIARDIASIS

    (Giardia lamblia)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following four:

    Diarrhoea

    Abdominal pain

    Bloating

    Signs of malabsorption (e.g. steatorrhoea, weight loss)

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Demonstration of Giardia lamblia cysts or trophozoites in stool, duodenal fluid or small-bowel biopsy

    Demonstration of Giardia lamblia antigen in stool

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four epidemiological links:

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    GONORRHOEA

    (Neisseria gonorrhoeae)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following eight:

    Urethritis

    Acute salpingitis

    Pelvic inflammatory disease

    Cervicitis

    Epididymitis

    Proctitis

    Pharyngitis

    Arthritis

    OR

    Any newborn child with conjunctivitis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Demonstration of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by a non amplified nucleic acid probe test in a clinical specimen

    Microscopic detection of intracellular gram negative diploccocci in an urethral male specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission (sexual contact or vertical transmission)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    HAEMOPHILUS MENINGITIS, INVASIVE DISEASE

    (Haemophilus influenzae)

    Clinical criteria

    Not relevant for surveillance purposes

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case definition

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Haemophilus influenzae from a normally sterile site

    Detection of Haemophilus influenzae nucleic acid from a normally sterile site

    Typing of the isolates should be performed, if possible

    Epidemiological link

    NA

    Case Classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    HEPATITIS A

    (Hepatitis A Virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with a discrete onset of symptoms (e.g. fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea and vomiting)

    AND

    At least one of the following three:

    Fever

    Jaundice

    Elevated serum aminotransferase levels

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Detection of hepatitis A virus nucleic acid in serum or stool

    Hepatitis A virus specific antibody response

    Detection of hepatitis A virus antigen in stool

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    HEPATITIS B, ACUTE

    (Hepatitis B virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with a discrete onset of symptoms (e.g. fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, intermittent nausea and vomiting)

    AND

    At least one of the following three:

    Fever

    Jaundice

    Elevated serum aminotransferase levels

    Laboratory criteria

    Hepatitis B virus core IgM antigen specific antibody response

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission (e.g. sexual contact, vertical transmission or blood transmission)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    HEPATITIS C

    (Hepatitis C virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Not relevant for surveillance purposes

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Detection of hepatitis C virus nucleic acid in serum

    Hepatitis C virus specific antibody response confirmed by a different antibody test

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    INFLUENZA

    (influenza virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Influenza-like illness (ILI)

    Sudden onset of symptoms

    AND

    at least one of the following four systemic symptoms:

    Fever or feverishness

    Malaise

    Headache

    Myalgia

    AND

    at least one of the following three respiratory symptoms:

    Cough

    Sore throat

    Shortness of breath

    Acute respiratory infection (ARI)

    Sudden onset of symptoms

    AND

    At least one of the following four respiratory symptoms:

    Cough

    Sore throat

    Shortness of breath

    Coryza

    AND

    A clinician's judgement that the illness is due to an infection

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one the following four:

    Isolation of influenza virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of influenza virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Identification of influenza virus antigen by DFA test in a clinical specimen

    Influenza specific antibody response

    Sub typing of the influenza isolate should be performed, if possible

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria (ILI or ARI)

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria (ILI or ARI) and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical (ILI or ARI) and the laboratory criteria

    LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE

    (Legionella spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with pneumonia

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Legionella spp. from respiratory secretions or any normally sterile site

    Detection of Legionella pneumophila antigen in urine

    Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 specific antibody response

    Laboratory criteria for a probable case

    At least one of the following four:

    Detection of Legionella pneumophila antigen in respiratory secretions or lung tissue e.g. by DFA staining using monoclonal-antibody derived reagents

    Detection of Legionella spp. nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Legionella pneumophila non-serogroup 1 or other Legionella spp. specific antibody response

    L. pneumophila serogroup 1, other serogroups or other Legionella species: single high titre in specific serum antibody

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Environmental exposure

    Exposure to the same common source

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria AND at least one positive laboratory test for a probable case OR an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    LEPTOSPIROSIS

    (Leptospira interrogans)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with

    Fever

    OR

    At least two of the following eleven:

    Chills

    Headache

    Myalgia

    Conjunctival suffusion

    Haemorrhages into skin and mucous membranes

    Rash

    Jaundice

    Myocarditis

    Meningitis

    Renal impairment

    Respiratory symptoms such as haemoptysis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of Leptospira interrogans from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Leptospira interrogans nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Demonstration of Leptospira interrogans by immunofluorescence in a clinical specimen

    Leptospira interrogans specific antibody response

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Animal to human transmission

    Environmental exposure

    Exposure to a common source

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    LISTERIOSIS

    (Listeria monocytogenes)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following three:

    Listeriosis of newborns defined as

    Stillbirth

    OR

    At least one of the following five in the first month of life:

    Granulomatosis infantiseptica

    Meningitis or meningoencephalitis

    Septicaemia

    Dyspnoea

    Lesions on skin, mucosal membranes or conjunctivae

    Listeriosis in pregnancy defined as at least one of the following three:

    Abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth

    Fever

    Influenza-like symptoms

    Other form of listeriosis defined as at least one of the following four:

    Fever

    Meningitis or meningoencephalitis

    Septicaemia

    isLocalised infections such as arthritis, endocarditis, and abscesses

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from a normally sterile site

    Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from a normally non-sterile site in a foetus, stillborn, newborn or the mother at or within 24 hours of birth

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source

    Human to human transmission (vertical transmission)

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Additional information

    Incubation period 3-70 days, most often 21 days

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    OR

    Any mother with a laboratory confirmed listeriosis infection in her foetus, stillborn or newborn

    MALARIA

    (Plasmodium spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever OR a history of fever

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Demonstration of malaria parasites by light microscopy in blood films

    Detection of Plasmodium nucleic acid in blood

    Detection of Plasmodium antigen

    Differentiation of Plasmodium spp. should be performed if possible

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    MEASLES

    (Measles virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever

    AND

    Maculo-papular rash

    AND at least one of the following three:

    Cough

    Coryza

    Conjunctivitis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of measles virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of measles virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Measles virus specific antibody response characteristic for acute infection in serum or saliva

    Detection of measles virus antigen by DFA in a clinical specimen using measles specific monoclonal antibodies

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status. If recently vaccinated, investigate for wild virus

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person not recently vaccinated and meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    MENINGOCCOCAL DISEASE, INVASIVE

    (Neisseria meningitidis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following five:

    Fever

    Meningeal signs

    Petechial rash

    Septic shock

    Septic arthritis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of Neisseria meningitidis from a normally sterile site, including purpuric skin lesions

    Detection of Neisseria meningitidis nucleic acid from a normally sterile site, including purpuric skin lesions

    Detection of Neisseria meningitidis antigen in CSF

    Detection of gram negative stained diplococcus in CSF

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    MUMPS

    (Mumps virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with

    Fever

    AND

    At least two of the following three:

    Sudden onset of tender swelling of the parotid or other salivary glands

    Orchitis

    Meningitis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of mumps virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of mumps virus nucleic acid

    Mumps virus specific antibody response characteristic for acute infection in serum or saliva

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person not recently vaccinated and meeting the laboratory criteria

    In case of recent vaccination: any person with detection of wild-type mumps virus strain

    PERTUSSIS

    (Bordetella pertussis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with a cough lasting at least two weeks

    AND

    at least one of the following three:

    Paroxysms of coughing

    Inspiratory ‘whooping’

    Post-tussive vomiting

    OR

    Any person diagnosed as pertussis by a physician

    OR

    Apnoeic episodes in infants

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Bordetella pertussis from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Bordetella pertussis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Bordetella pertussis specific antibody response

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    PLAGUE

    (Yersinia pestis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Bubonic plague:

    Fever

    AND

    Sudden onset of painful lymphadenitis

    Septicaemic plague:

    Fever

    Pneumonic plague:

    Fever

    AND

    At least one of the following three:

    Cough

    Chest pain

    Haemoptysis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Yersinia pestis from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Yersinia pestis nucleic acid from a clinical specimen (F1 antigen)

    Yersinia pestis anti-F1 antigen specific antibody response

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Animal to human transmission

    Laboratory exposure (where there is a potential exposure to plague)

    Exposure to a common source

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    PNEUMOCOCCAL INVASIVE DISEASE(S)

    (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

    Clinical criteria

    Not relevant for surveillance purposes

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of S. pneumoniae from a normally sterile site

    Detection of S. pneumoniae nucleic acid from a normally sterile site

    Detection of S. pneumoniae antigen from a normally sterile site

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria

    POLIOMYELITIS

    (Polio virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person < 15 years of age with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP)

    OR

    Any person in whom polio is suspected by a physician

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of a polio virus and intratypic differentiation — Wild polio virus (WPV)

    Vaccine derived poliovirus (VDPV) (for the VDPV at least 85 % similarity with vaccine virus in the nucleotide sequences in the VP1 section)

    Sabin-like poliovirus: intratypic differentiation performed by a WHO-accredited polio laboratory (for the VDPV a >1 % up to 15 % VP1 sequence difference compared with vaccine virus of the same serotype)

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    An history of travel to a polio-endemic area or an area with suspected or confirmed circulation of poliovirus

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    Q FEVER

    (Coxiella burnetii)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following three:

    Fever

    Pneumonia

    Hepatitis

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Coxiella burnetii from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Coxiella burnetii nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Coxiella burnetii specific antibody response (IgG or IgM phase II)

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    RABIES

    (Lyssa virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with an acute encephalomyelitis

    AND

    At least two of the following seven:

    Sensory changes referred to the site of a preceding animal bite

    Paresis or paralysis

    Spasms of swallowing muscles

    Hydrophobia

    Delirium

    Convulsions

    Anxiety

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of Lyssa virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Lyssa virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen (e.g. saliva or brain tissue)

    Detection of viral antigens by a DFA in a clinical specimen

    Lyssa virus specific antibody response by virus isneutralisation assay in serum or CSF

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination or immunisation status

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Animal to human transmission (animal with suspected or confirmed infection)

    Exposure to a common source (same animal)

    Human to human transmission (e.g. transplantation of organs)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    RUBELLA

    (Rubella virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with sudden onset of generalised maculo-papular rash

    AND

    At least one of the following five:

    Cervical adenopathy

    Sub-occipital adenopathy

    Post-auricular adenopathy

    Arthralgia

    Arthritis

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of rubella virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of rubella virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Rubella virus specific antibody response (IgG) in serum or saliva

    Laboratory criteria for probable case

    Rubella virus specific antibody response (IgM) (10)

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    An epidemiological link by human to human transmission

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with at least one of the following two:

    An epidemiological link

    Meeting the laboratory criteria for a probable case

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person not recently vaccinated and meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    In case of recent vaccination, a person with detection of wild-type rubella virus strain

    RUBELLA, CONGENITAL

    (Including congenital rubella syndrome)

    Clinical criteria

    Congenital rubella infection (CRI)

    No clinical criteria can be defined for CRI

    Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)

    Any infant < 1 year of age or any stillborn with:

    At least two of the conditions listed in (A)

    OR

    One in category (A) and one in category (B)

    (A)

    Cataract(s)

    Congenital glaucoma

    Congenital heart disease

    Loss of hearing

    Pigmentary retinopathy

    (B)

    Purpura

    Splenomegaly

    Microcephaly

    Developmental delay

    Meningo-encephalitis

    Radiolucent bone disease

    Jaundice that begins within 24 hours after birth

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of rubella virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Rubella virus nucleic acid

    Rubella virus specific antibody response (IgM)

    Persistence of rubella IgG between 6 and 12 months of age (at least two samples with similar concentration of rubella IgG)

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    Any infant or any stillborn born to a woman with a laboratory confirmed rubella infection during pregnancy by human to human transmission vertical transmission)

    Case classification Congenital Rubella

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any stillborn or infant either not tested OR with negative laboratory results with at least one of the following two:

    An epidemiological link AND at least one category ‘A’ CRS clinical criteria

    Meeting the clinical criteria for CRS

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any stillborn meeting the laboratory criteria

    OR

    Any infant meeting the laboratory criteria AND at least one of the following two:

    An epidemiological link

    At least one category ‘A’ CRS clinical criteria

    An infant with positive laboratory criteria only without a history of rubella in the mother during the pregnancy and without ‘A’ clinical criteria will therefore be reported as rubella case.

    SALMONELLOSIS

    (Salmonella spp. other than S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following four:

    Diarrhoea

    Fever

    Abdominal pain

    Vomiting

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Salmonella (other than S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi) from stool or blood

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following five epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME — SARS

    (SARS-coronavirus, SARS-CoV)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever or a history of fever

    AND

    At least one of the following three:

    Cough

    Difficulty in breathing

    Shortness of breath

    AND

    At least one of the following four:

    Radiographic evidence of pneumonia

    Radiographic evidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome

    Autopsy findings of pneumonia

    Autopsy findings of acute respiratory distress syndrome

    AND

    No alternative diagnosis which can fully explain the illness

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of virus in cell culture from any clinical specimen and identification of SARS-CoV using method such as RT-PCR

    Detection SARS-CoV nucleic acid in at least one of the following three:

    At least two different clinical specimens (e.g. nasopharyngeal swab and stool)

    The same clinical specimen collected on two or more occasions during the course of the illness (e.g. sequential nasopharyngeal aspirates)

    Two different assays or repeat RT-PCR using a new RNA extract from the original clinical sample on each occasion of testing

    SARS-CoV specific antibody response by one of the following two:

    Seroconversion by ELISA or IFA in acute and convalescent phase serum tested in parallel

    Fourfold or greater rise in antibody titre between acute and convalescent phase sera tested in parallel

    Laboratory criteria for a probable case

    At least one of the following two:

    A single positive antibody test for SARS-CoV

    A positive PCR result for SARS-CoV on a single clinical specimen and assay

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Any person with at least one of the following three:

    Employed in an occupation associated with an increased risk of SARS-CoV exposure (e.g. staff in a laboratory working with live SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-like viruses or storing clinical specimens infected with SARS-CoV; persons with exposure to wildlife or other animals considered a reservoir of SARS-CoV, their excretions or secretions, etc.)

    Close contact (11) of one or more persons with confirmed SARS or under investigation for SARS

    History of travel to, or residence in, an area experiencing an outbreak of SARS

    Two or more health-care workers (12) with clinical evidence of SARS in the same health-care unit and with onset of illness in the same 10-day period

    Three or more persons (health-care workers and/or patients and/or visitors) with clinical evidence of SARS with onset of illness in the same 10-day period and epidemiologically linked to a healthcare facility

    Case classification for the inter-epidemic period

    Also applies during an outbreak in a non-affected country or area

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria AND with an epidemiological link AND meeting the laboratory criteria for a probable case

    C.   Nationally confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation where the testing has been performed at a national reference laboratory

    D.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation where the testing has been performed at a WHO SARS verification and reference laboratory

    Case classification during an outbreak

    Applies during an outbreak in a country/area where at least one person has been laboratory confirmed by a WHO SARS verification and reference laboratory

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link to a nationally confirmed or a confirmed case

    C.   Nationally confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation where the testing has been performed at a national reference laboratory

    D.   Confirmed case

    One of the following three:

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation where the testing has been performed at a WHO SARS verification and reference laboratory

    Any nationally confirmed case with an epidemiological link to a chain of transmission where at least one case has been independently verified by a WHO SARS reference and verification laboratory

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with laboratory criteria for probable case with an epidemiological link to a chain of transmission where at least one case has been independently verified by a WHO SARS reference and verification laboratory

    SHIGELLOSIS

    (Shigella spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following four:

    Diarrhoea

    Fever

    Vomiting

    Abdominal pain

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Shigella spp. from a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following five epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Environmental exposure

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    SMALLPOX

    (Variola virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Fever

    AND

    Vesicles or firm pustules rash at the same stage of development with a centrifugal distribution

    Atypical presentations defined as at least one of the following four:

    Haemorrhagic lesions

    Flat velvety lesions not progressing to vesicles

    Variola sine eruptione

    Milder type

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following two laboratory tests:

    Isolation of smallpox (variola virus) from a clinical specimen followed by sequencing (designated P4 laboratories only)

    Detection of Variola virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen followed by sequencing

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to the vaccination status

    Laboratory criteria for a probable case

    Identification of orthopox virus particles by EM

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Laboratory exposure (where there is a potential exposure to Variola virus)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with at least one of the following two:

    An epidemiological link to a confirmed human case by human to human transmission

    Meeting the laboratory criteria for a probable case

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    During an outbreak: any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    SYPHILIS

    (Treponema pallidum)

    Clinical criteria

    Primary syphilis

    Any person with one or several (usually painless) chancres in the genital, perineal, anal area or mouth or pharyngeal mucosa or elsewhere extragenitally

    Secondary syphilis

    Any person with at least one of the following three:

    Diffuse maculo-papular rash often involving palms and soles

    Generalised lymphadenopathy

    Condyloma lata

    Enanthema

    Allopetia diffusa

    Early latent syphilis (< 1 year)

    A history of symptoms compatible with those of the earlier stages of syphilis within the previous 12 months

    Late latent syphilis (> 1 year)

    Any person meeting laboratory criteria (specific serological tests)

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four laboratory tests:

    Demonstration of Treponema pallidum in lesion exudates or tissues by dark-field microscopic examination

    Demonstration of Treponema pallidum in lesion exudates or tissues by DFA test

    Demonstration of Treponema in lesion exudates or tissues by PCR

    Detection of Treponema pallidum antibodies by screening test (TPHA, TPPA or EIA) AND additionally detection of Tp-IgM antibodies (by IgM-ELISA, IgM immunoblot or 19S-IgM-FTA-abs) — confirmed by a second IgM assay

    Epidemiological criteria

    Primary/secondary syphilis

    An epidemiological link by human to human (sexual contact)

    Early latent syphilis (< 1 year)

    An epidemiological link by human to human (sexual contact) within the 12 previous months

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    SYPHILIS, CONGENITAL AND NEONATAL

    (Treponema pallidum)

    Clinical criteria

    Any infant < 2 years of age with at least one of the following 10:

    Hepatospenomegaly

    Mucocutaneous lesions

    Condyloma lata

    Persistent rhinitis

    Jaundice

    Pseudoparalysis (due to periostitis and osteochondritis)

    Central nervous involvement

    Anaemia

    Nephrotic syndrome

    Malnutrition

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following three:

    Demonstration of Treponema pallidum by dark field microscopy in the umbilical cord, the placenta, a nasal discharge or skin lesion material

    Demonstration of Treponema pallidum by DFA-TP in the umbilical cord, the placenta, a nasal discharge or skin lesion material

    Detection of Treponema pallidum — specific IgM (FTA-abs, EIA)

    AND a reactive non treponemal test (VDRL, RPR) in the child's serum

    Laboratory criteria for a probable case

    At least one of the following three:

    Reactive VDRL-CSF test result

    Reactive non treponemal and treponemal serologic tests in the mother's serum

    Infant's non treponemal antibody titre is fourfold or greater than the antibody titre in the mother's serum

    Epidemiological criteria

    Any infant with an epidemiological link by human to human transmission (vertical transmission)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any infant or child meeting the clinical criteria and with at least one of the following two:

    An epidemiological link

    Meeting the laboratory criteria for a probable case

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any infant meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    TETANUS

    (Clostridium tetani)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least two of the following three:

    Painful muscular contractions primarily of the masseter and neck muscles leading to facial spasms known as trismus and ‘risus sardonicus’

    Painful muscular contractions of trunk muscles

    Generalised spasms, frequently position of opisthotonus

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Clostridium tetani from an infection site

    Detection of tetanus toxin in a serum sample

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    TOXOPLASMOSIS, CONGENITAL

    (Toxoplasma gondii)

    Clinical criteria

    Not relevant for surveillance purposes

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following four:

    Demonstration of T. gondii in body tissues or fluids

    Detection of T. gondii nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    T. gondii specific antibody response (IgM, IgG, IgA) in a newborn

    Persistently stable IgG T. gondii titres in an infant (<12 months of age)

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    NA

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any infant meeting the laboratory criteria

    TRICHINELLOSIS

    (Trichinella spp.)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least three of the following six:

    Fever

    Muscle soreness and pain

    Diarrhoea

    Facial oedema

    Eosinophilia

    Subconjunctival, subungual and retinal haemorrhages

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Demonstration of Trichinella larvae in tissue obtained by muscle biopsy

    Trichinella specific antibody response (IFA test, ELISA or Western Blot)

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Exposure to contaminated food (meat)

    Exposure to a common source

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and the laboratory criteria

    TUBERCULOSIS

    (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with the following two:

    Signs, symptoms and/or radiological findings consistent with active tuberculosis in any site

    AND

    A clinician's decision to treat the person with a full course of anti-tuberculosis therapy

    OR

    A case discovered post-mortem with pathological findings consistent with active tuberculosis that would have indicated anti-tuberculosis antibiotic treatment had the patient been diagnosed before dying

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (excluding Mycobacterium bovis-BCG) from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex nucleic acid in a clinical specimen AND positive microscopy for acid-fast bacilli or equivalent fluorescent staining bacilli on light microscopy

    Laboratory criteria for a probable case

    At least one of the following three:

    Microscopy for acid-fast bacilli or equivalent fluorescent staining bacilli on light microscopy

    Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Histological appearance of granulomata

    Epidemiological criteria

    NA

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and the laboratory criteria for a probable case

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    TULARAEMIA

    (Francisella tularensis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following clinical forms:

    Ulceroglandular tularaemia

    Cutaneous ulcer

    AND

    Regional lymphadenopathy

    Glandular tularaemia

    Enlarged and painful lymph nodes without apparent ulcer

    Oculoglandular tularaemia

    Conjunctivitis

    AND

    Regional lymphadenopathy

    Oropharyngeal tularaemia

    Cervical lymphadenopathy

    AND

    at least one of the following three:

    Stomatitis

    Pharyngitis

    Tonsillitis

    Intestinal tularaemia

    At least one of the following three:

    Abdominal pain

    Vomiting

    Diarrhoea

    Pneumonic tularaemia

    Pneumonia

    Typhoidal tularaemia

    At least one of the following two:

    Fever without early localising signs and symptoms

    Septicaemia

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following three:

    Isolation of Francisella tularensis from a clinical specimen

    Detection of Francisella tularensis nucleic acid in a clinical specimen

    Francisella tularensis specific antibody response

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    TYPHOID/PARATYPHOID FEVER

    (Salmonella Typhi/Paratyphi)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Onset of sustained fever

    At least two of the following four:

    Headache

    Relative bradycardia

    Non productive cough

    Diarrhoea, constipation, malaise or abdominal pain

    Paratyphoid fever has the same symptoms as typhoid fever, however usually a milder course.

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi from a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following three epidemiological links:

    Exposure to a common source

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food/drinking water

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVERS

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following two:

    Fever

    Haemorrhagic manifestations in various forms that may lead to multi-organ failure

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following two:

    Isolation of specific virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of specific virus nucleic acid in a clinical specimen and genotyping

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following:

    Travel in the last 21 days to a region where VHF cases are known or believed to have occurred

    Exposure within the last 21 days to a probable or confirmed case of a Viral Hemorrhagic Fever whose onset of illness was within the last six months

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    WEST NILE FEVER

    (West Nile virus infection, WNV)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever

    OR

    At least one of the following two:

    Encephalitis

    Meningitis

    Laboratory criteria

    Laboratory test for case confirmation

    At least one of the following four:

    Isolation of WNV from blood or CSF

    Detection of WNV nucleic acid in blood or CSF

    WNV specific antibody response (IgM) in CSF

    WNV IgM high titre AND detection of WNV IgG, AND confirmation by neutralisation

    Laboratory test for a probable case

    WNV specific antibody response in serum

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to flavivirus vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following two epidemiological links:

    Animal to human transmission (residing, having visited or having been exposed to mosquito bites in an area where WNV is endemic in horses or birds)

    Human to human transmission (vertical transmission, blood transfusion, transplants)

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria AND with at least one of the following two:

    an epidemiological link

    a laboratory test for a probable case

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the laboratory criteria for case confirmation

    YELLOW FEVER

    (Yellow fever virus)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with fever

    AND

    At least one of the following two:

    Jaundice

    Generalised haemorrhage

    Laboratory criteria

    At least one of the following five:

    Isolation of yellow fever virus from a clinical specimen

    Detection of yellow fever virus nucleic acid

    Detection of yellow fever antigen

    Yellow fever specific antibody response

    Demonstration of typical lesions in post mortem liver histopathology

    Laboratory results need to be interpreted according to flavivirus vaccination status

    Epidemiological criteria

    Travel in the last one week to a region where yellow fever cases are known or believed to have occurred

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person not recently vaccinated meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria

    In case of recent vaccination, a person with detection of wild-type yellow fever virus strain.

    YERSINIOSIS

    (Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis)

    Clinical criteria

    Any person with at least one of the following five:

    Fever

    Diarrhoea

    Vomiting

    Abdominal pain (pseudoappendicitis)

    Tenesmus

    Laboratory criteria

    Isolation of human pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica or Yersinia pseudotuberculosis from a clinical specimen

    Epidemiological criteria

    At least one of the following four epidemiological links:

    Human to human transmission

    Exposure to a common source

    Animal to human transmission

    Exposure to contaminated food

    Case classification

    A.   Possible case

    NA

    B.   Probable case

    Any person meeting the clinical criteria and with an epidemiological link

    C.   Confirmed case

    Any person meeting the clinical and the laboratory criteria


    (1)  European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS. 1993 revision of the European AIDS surveillance case definition. AIDS Surveillance in Europe, Quarterly Report 1993; No 37: 23-28

    (2)  European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS. European case definition for AIDS surveillance in children — revision 1995. HIV/AIDS Surveillance in Europe, Quarterly Report 1995; No 48: 46-53

    (3)  See World isOrganisation for Animal Health — OIE — and European Commission (SANCO) Animal Disease Notification System (ADNS), available at: http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm and http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/adns/index_en.htm#)

    (4)  This does not include seemingly well birds that have been killed, for example by hunting.

    (5)  Depression, anxiety, apathy, withdrawal, delusions.

    (6)  This includes both frank pain and/or dysaesthesia.

    (7)  The typical appearance of the EEG in sporadic CJD consists of generalised periodic complexes at approximately one per second. These may occasionally be seen in the late stages of VCJD.

    (8)  The typical appearance of the EEG in sporadic CJD consists of generalised periodic complexes at approximately one per second. These may occasionally be seen in the late stages of VCJD.

    (9)  Tonsil biopsy is not recommended routinely nor in cases with EEG appearances typical of sporadic CJD, but may be useful in suspect cases in which the clinical features are compatible with VCJD and MRI does not show pulvinar high signal.

    (10)  When rubella in pregnancy is suspected, further confirmation of a positive rubella IgM results is required (e.g. a rubella specific IgG avidity test showing a low avidity). In certain situations, such as confirmed rubella outbreaks detection of rubella virus IgM can be considered confirmatory in non-pregnant cases.

    (11)  A close contact is a person who has cared for, lived with, or having had direct contact with the respiratory secretions, body fluids and/or excretions (e.g. faeces) of cases of SARS.

    (12)  In this context the term ‘health-care worker’ includes all hospital staff. The definition of the health care unit in which the cluster occurs will depend on the local situation. Unit size may range from an entire health care facility if small, to a single department or ward of a large tertiary hospital.


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