The Federal Office for Public Health Safety has been informed by the Italian authority that the first human WNV (neuro-invasive disease) infection has been recorded in the province of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna Region).

Given the current circulation of Zika virus; the evidence of an association between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS); the association between Zikavirus infection and Guillain–Barré Syndrome(GBS)and the risk of local vector-borne transmission in Europe during the 2016 summer season, EU/EEA Member States are recommended to consider a range of mitigation measures.

From 1 January 2007 to 23 March 2016, Zikavirus transmission was documented in a total of 61 countries and territories. Four of these countries and territories reported a Zika virus outbreak that is now over.

A Rapid Risk Assessment from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) regarding the ZIKA virus epidemic was forwarded to the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care by the European Commission and can be found in the appendix.

The spread of the Zika virus epidemic in the Americas is likely to continue as the competent vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are widely distributed there.

The Federal Office for Safety in Health Care has been informed by the Irish authorities that due to faulty hemoglobin measurements caused by the analyzer "haemospect" of the manufacturer MBR Optical Systems GmbH & Co. KG, in at least two cases serious adverse reactions have occurred in the course of blood donation.

The Federal Office for Public Health Safety has been informed by the Greek authorities that two additional confirmed malaria cases have been recorded in Greece. No travel activity of the ill persons is known. The affected area is: Marathon (Ostattika).

The Federal Office for Public Health Safety has been informed by the French authority that the first human WNV infection has been recorded in France. There was no travel activity within 3 weeks before the onset of symptoms. The affected area is Nîmes, Gard department (southern France).

The Federal Office for Public Health Safety has been informed by the Italian authority that WNV NAT testing will now be carried out in the province of Rimini in addition to the regions already announced.

The Federal Office for Public Health Safety has been informed by the Romanian authority that additional human WNV (neuro-invasive disease) infections have been recorded in Romania. The affected areas are Amaru (Buzau County), Sf Gheorghe (Ialomita County), and Vidra (Ilfov County).