Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context

Summary: Background: While the association of polioviruses with paralytic disease is well-documented and closely monitored via the Global Polio Eradication initiative, monitoring of the circulation and role of other non-polio enteroviruses in paralytic and non-paralytic disease has not received the...

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Main Authors: Heli Harvala, Caroline K. Johannesen, Kimberley S.M. Benschop, Eugene V. Saxentoff, Shahin Huseynov, José E. Hagan, Thea K. Fischer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:The Lancet Regional Health. Europe
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666776225000845
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author Heli Harvala
Caroline K. Johannesen
Kimberley S.M. Benschop
Eugene V. Saxentoff
Shahin Huseynov
José E. Hagan
Thea K. Fischer
author_facet Heli Harvala
Caroline K. Johannesen
Kimberley S.M. Benschop
Eugene V. Saxentoff
Shahin Huseynov
José E. Hagan
Thea K. Fischer
author_sort Heli Harvala
collection DOAJ
description Summary: Background: While the association of polioviruses with paralytic disease is well-documented and closely monitored via the Global Polio Eradication initiative, monitoring of the circulation and role of other non-polio enteroviruses in paralytic and non-paralytic disease has not received the same priority. We have assessed assess the role and potential effectiveness of the current enterovirus surveillance systems in the final stages of polio eradication. Methods: We compared data on enterovirus circulation and clinical associations reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe via the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), clinical enterovirus, and environmental surveillance systems along with that collected by the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN), 2015–2022. Findings: This 8-year study analysed data from 63,659 samples from diagnosed enterovirus infections reported by 48 European countries, of which 27,699 were successfully typed (43.5%). This revealed the circulation of 67 individual enterovirus types primarily reported via ENPEN (85%; 19,712/23,220), whereas most poliovirus infections were reported via WHO (99.9%; 4484/4489). Only 20% of non-polio enterovirus positive AFP cases reported to WHO were successfully typed (105/544). Clinical data linked to these cases underscored the severity of paralytic non-polio enterovirus infections with 12 deaths compared to three deaths caused by poliovirus infections during the same study period. Interpretation: The study documents non-polio enterovirus infections as a frequent cause of paralysis in Europe. Implementation of standardized monitoring and reporting of all enteroviruses identified from severely ill patients, including those with paralysis, would enhance our understanding of the burden of non-polio enterovirus infections without compromising poliovirus surveillance. Funding: This study was funded by WHO Regional Office for Europe and received financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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spelling doaj-art-a2d8e7187f3b41c0916f60b41b1043742025-08-20T03:03:24ZengElsevierThe Lancet Regional Health. Europe2666-77622025-06-015310129210.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101292Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in contextHeli Harvala0Caroline K. Johannesen1Kimberley S.M. Benschop2Eugene V. Saxentoff3Shahin Huseynov4José E. Hagan5Thea K. Fischer6Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Turku, Finland; Microbiology Services, National Health Service (NHS) Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom; Corresponding author. Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Faculty, University of Turku, Finland.Department of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hilleroed, DenmarkCenter for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, NetherlandsVaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization, Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, DenmarkVaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization, Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, DenmarkVaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization, Division of Communicable Diseases, Environment and Health, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Clinical Research, Nordsjællands Hospital, Hilleroed, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DenmarkSummary: Background: While the association of polioviruses with paralytic disease is well-documented and closely monitored via the Global Polio Eradication initiative, monitoring of the circulation and role of other non-polio enteroviruses in paralytic and non-paralytic disease has not received the same priority. We have assessed assess the role and potential effectiveness of the current enterovirus surveillance systems in the final stages of polio eradication. Methods: We compared data on enterovirus circulation and clinical associations reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe via the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), clinical enterovirus, and environmental surveillance systems along with that collected by the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN), 2015–2022. Findings: This 8-year study analysed data from 63,659 samples from diagnosed enterovirus infections reported by 48 European countries, of which 27,699 were successfully typed (43.5%). This revealed the circulation of 67 individual enterovirus types primarily reported via ENPEN (85%; 19,712/23,220), whereas most poliovirus infections were reported via WHO (99.9%; 4484/4489). Only 20% of non-polio enterovirus positive AFP cases reported to WHO were successfully typed (105/544). Clinical data linked to these cases underscored the severity of paralytic non-polio enterovirus infections with 12 deaths compared to three deaths caused by poliovirus infections during the same study period. Interpretation: The study documents non-polio enterovirus infections as a frequent cause of paralysis in Europe. Implementation of standardized monitoring and reporting of all enteroviruses identified from severely ill patients, including those with paralysis, would enhance our understanding of the burden of non-polio enterovirus infections without compromising poliovirus surveillance. Funding: This study was funded by WHO Regional Office for Europe and received financial support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666776225000845EnterovirusParalysisSurveillanceTypingSevereEurope
spellingShingle Heli Harvala
Caroline K. Johannesen
Kimberley S.M. Benschop
Eugene V. Saxentoff
Shahin Huseynov
José E. Hagan
Thea K. Fischer
Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
The Lancet Regional Health. Europe
Enterovirus
Paralysis
Surveillance
Typing
Severe
Europe
title Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
title_full Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
title_fullStr Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
title_full_unstemmed Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
title_short Enterovirus circulation in the WHO European region, 2015–2022: a comparison of data from WHO's three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN)Research in context
title_sort enterovirus circulation in the who european region 2015 2022 a comparison of data from who s three core poliovirus surveillance systems and the european non polio enterovirus network enpen research in context
topic Enterovirus
Paralysis
Surveillance
Typing
Severe
Europe
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666776225000845
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