West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis have been added to the list of reportable diseases
As of May 12, 2021, two new zoonotic diseases have been added to the list of reportable diseases: West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis.
Learn more about reportable diseases
In 2021, 36 diseases are subject to mandatory reporting (MDO). Of these, 34 are infectious diseases and 2 are non-infectious (mesothelioma and lead poisoning in minors).
What is a notifiable disease?
To monitor and prevent the risk of epidemics, certain diseases must be reported by healthcare professionals; these are known as notifiable diseases (NDs). Established in 2003, the system now includes 36 notifiable diseases, with the addition of West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis since May 2021.
Surveillance of notifiable diseases relies on the transmission of data by physicians and laboratory technicians to public health inspectors, their colleagues at regional health agencies (ARS), and epidemiologists at Santé publique France.
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Why have West Nile virus and tick-borne encephalitis become notifiable diseases?
Recent changes in the epidemiology of West Nile virus, including its geographic spread across Europe and the risk this infection poses to products of human origin, are among the factors that led to its inclusion on the list of notifiable diseases.
Indeed, the existing surveillance system, which was concentrated around the Mediterranean, needed to be adapted and applied to the entire national territory. The details of the rationale are explained in the HCSP opinion of February 7, 2020.
West Nile Virus at a Glance
West Nile virus infections are transmitted by mosquitoes but also through human-derived products (blood transfusions and organ transplants). They are rare in France, but the risk is increasing within the country as the transmission zone expands and the number of cases rises across Europe. Rapid reporting of cases enables the implementation of control measures, particularly regarding blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Tick-borne encephalitis at a glance
Tick-borne encephalitis virus infections are transmitted by ticks, and rarely through the consumption of raw milk dairy products from a recently infected herd. Cases diagnosed in France are primarily acquired within the country in northeastern France, Haute-Savoie, Ain, and the Massif du Forez. Rapid reporting of cases enables the implementation of control measures, particularly regarding blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Santé publique France’s Role in Monitoring MDOs
As part of regional and national surveillance, Santé publique France epidemiologists centralize all data, analyze it, and transmit it to public authorities along with recommendations on measures or actions to be implemented.
In addition, they provide scientific expertise to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) for epidemiological investigations, particularly during outbreaks.
Finally, they ensure that this information is communicated to stakeholders in the system, the medical and scientific community, and the public.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, and more specifically the Directorate General of Health, receives health alerts and, as needed, participates in risk management decisions in collaboration with the ARS. Surveillance data is transmitted by Santé publique France to the Ministry of Health, which uses it to define and adapt public health policies.
Tick-borne encephalitis
thematic dossier
West Nile virus
thematic dossier
