Drug-related infectious diseases in Europe. Update from the EMCDDA expert network
Introduction
This report provides an update on infectious diseases related to injecting drug use in Europe for the period up to June 2015. The report covers both the EMCDDA Drug-related infectious diseases indicator, which collects data on the situation, and the responses in the area. It includes highlights and new findings discussed during the indicator's annual expert meeting, held in Lisbon on 15 and 16 June 2015. This two-day event offered a platform for discussion among experts from the 28 EU Member States, Norway and Turkey. Topics receiving particular attention include: an update of the HIV situation and concerns in some countries; bacterial infections, including botulism outbreaks in Scotland and Norway; and changing patterns of injection in Europe and their implications for public health. Challenges in scaling up HCV treatments and good national examples in this area are also discussed.
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Table of contents
- Introduction and objective of this report
- Overview of the current situation: prevalence and trends in injecting, HIV and hepatitis C virus infections
- Cathinone injecting leading to adverse health consequences and potential increased infection risk in Hungary, Ireland and Wales
- Wound botulism outbreaks and other bacterial infections
- Scaling up HCV treatment for people who inject drugs in Europe
- Drug-related infectious disease news and updates
- References
- Resources
- Acknowledgements
- Appendixes
