six European countries (Croatia, Spain, France, Italy, England and Sweden) have reported cases of echovirus-11 (E-11) infection in newborns to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Until May 31, cases were reported in France. From then to June 26, there are others in Croatia, Spain, Italy, the UK and Sweden. Each of those countries is carrying out new investigations and public health responses, the WHO said on Saturday.

Based on the limited information available, WHO considers the public health risk to the general population to be low. “We continue to encourage countries to monitor and report cases. Health facilities caring for newborns should be aware of the signs and symptoms of echovirus and maintain vigilance for potential health care-related infections and outbreaks,” he stressed. .

France reported on May 5 an increase in cases of severe neonatal sepsis associated with echovirus-11. Between July 2022 and April 2023, there were nine cases of neonatal sepsis with liver failure and multi-organ failure in four hospitals in three different regions of France. Seven children have died and two are being treated in the neonatology unit.

On June 26, Croatia reported one confirmed case of E-11 infection by a group of enterovirus diseases in neonates detected in June, Italy reported seven confirmed cases of E-11 infection in neonates between April and June, Spain added two cases of E-11 infection this year, Sweden recorded five cases of E-11 with four infants having meningoencephalitis due to E-11 infection between 2022 and 15 June, and the UK recorded two cases last March.