WESTERN EUROPE

Abstract

The epidemiology of infectious diseases in Western Europe is dominated by infections ypical of industrialized, urbanized regions in temperate climate zones. Public health policies, including mass vaccination, have reduced the incidence of community-acquired infections. Most infections are airborne respiratory tract infections, with SARS-CoV-2 (since the 2020 pandemic) and Rhinovirus as the most common pathogens. Foodborne gastrointestinal infections are relatively rare, although outbreaks may occur, especially with some seasonal peaks according to the eating traditions of different countries. Parasitic infections are considered rare and mainly imported, while zoonoses still occur, with their distribution varying with changing landscape and climate. Vector-borne infections are mainly tick-borne, but mosquito-borne infections are increasing. Leishmaniasis and Aedes albopictus transmitted Dengue and Chikungunya have been reported in several countries across Western Europe, as well as Zika and West Nile virus. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are overall increasing, including the 2022 outbreak of Mpox (Monkeypox), which spread all over Europe (and North America). Prevalence of antibiotic resistance varies, but antibiotic resistance is a growing cause of concern everywhere, as well as among travelers carrying multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and migrants infected with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis.