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Background: Vaccination against mumps from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Earlier this vaccination was only recommended. Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common childhood disease., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2013, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2013, NIZP-PZH i GIS). Mumps cases were classified according to the criteria of surveillance case definition implemented in the European Union (Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC). National Immunisation Programme for year 2013 was also used., Results: In total, there were 2 436 mumps cases registered in Poland in 2013. Incidence of mumps was 6.3 per 100,000 and it was lower by 12.5% in comparison with 2012 and lower by 18.2% in comparison with median for the years 2007-2010. The highest incidence rate was observed among children aged 5 years (54.0 per 100,000). Incidence in men (7.5) was higher than in women (5.2). In 2013, 38 people were hospitalized due to mumps. Vaccination coverage of children aged 3 years in Poland in 2013 was 97.5% and it was lower by 0.4% in comparison with year 2012., Conclusions: Systematic execution of mumps vaccination in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme resulted in a significant decrease in the number of registered cases. Due to the high vaccination coverage further decline in the number of cases is expected.

Background: A large number of chickenpox cases, occurring especially in children, indicates the rationale for the use of chickenpox vaccinations. In Poland since 2002, chickenpox vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme as recommended., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2013 in comparison to previous years., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2014, NIZP-PZH i GIS). National Immunisation Programme for year 2013 was also used., Results: In 2013, 178 501 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland. The incidence was 463.6 and was lower than in 2012 (540.5). The highest number of cases was reported in mazowieckie voivodeship, the lowest in podlaskie voivodeship. The highest incidence was recorded in children aged 4 years (6 545.1 per 100,000). The chickenpox incidence among men (491.7) was higher by 12.4% comparing to women (437.3). The incidence among rural residents (497.2) was higher than among urban residents (441.7). Number of cases hospitalized due to mumps was 1 184. Number of people vaccinated against chickenpox was 57 168., Summary: In 2013, there was decrease in the incidence of chickenpox [corrected] in Poland with small fluctuations. Since 2002 the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox increased. The increase in the number of people vaccinated against chickenpox would help maintain the downward trend in subsequent years.

Background: Since 1998, Poland has been actively participating in the Measles Elimination Program, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). It requires achieving and maintaining very high vaccine coverage (>95%), recording all cases and suspected cases of measles, and laboratory testing of all suspected measles cases in the WHO Reference Laboratory. In Poland it is a Laboratory of Department of Virology, NIPH-NIH. In order to confirm or exclude the case of measles specific measles IgM antibodies should be measured using Elisa test, or molecular testing (PCR) should be performed to detect the presence measles virus RNA in biological material., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2013, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, and Measles Elimination Program implementation status., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2013", and measles case-based reports from 2013 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPH-NIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations., Results: In total, there were 84 measles cases registered in Poland in 2013 (incidence 0.22 per 100,000). The highest incidence rate was observed among infants (2.18 per 100,000) and children aged 1 year (1.27 per 100,000). In 2013, 56 cases (66.7%) were hospitalized due to measles. No deaths from measles were reported. Vaccination coverage of children and youth aged 2-11 years ranged from 82.8% do 99.5% (primary vaccination in children born in 2012-2007) and from 73.6% to 93.2% (booster dose in children born in 2004-2001). In 2013, 127 measles-compatible cases were reported (67% of expected reports). Two hundred seven cases (80%) were confirmed by IgM ELISA test., Summary and Conclusions: In 2013, the epidemiological situation of measles deteriorated in comparison to proceding year. The sensitivity of measles surveillance improved but is still insufficient. It is necessary to further promote Measles Elimination Program in Poland, to improve measles surveillance system and to maintain the high immunisation coverage.

Background: In 1998 Poland, along with all other Member States in the WHO European Region, implemented Measles Elimination Program coordinated by WHO. It requires achieving and maintaining very high vaccine coverage (>95%), recording all cases and suspected cases of measles, and laboratory testing of all suspected measles cases in the WHO Reference Laboratory. In Poland it is a Laboratory of Department of Virology, NIPH-NIH., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2012, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, and Measles Elimination Program implementation status., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2012", and measles case-based reports from 2012 sent to the Department of Epidemiology NIPH-NIH by Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations., Results: In total, there were 70 measles cases registered in Poland in 2012 (incidence 0.18 per 100 000). The highest incidence rate was observed among infants (2.08 per 100 000) and children aged 1 year (2.47 per 100 000). In 2012, 37 cases (52,9%) were hospitalized due to measles. No deaths from measles were reported. Vaccination coverage of children and youth aged 2-11 years ranged from 83.6% do 99.6% (primary vaccination in children born in 2011-2006) and from 76.6% do 96.7% (booster dose in children born in 2003-2001). Performance of the surveillance system was insufficient with only 127 measles-compatible cases reported in 2012 (33% of expected reports). Fifty cases (71%) were confirmed by IgM ELISA test., Summary and Conclusions: The epidemiological situation of measles deteriorated in 2012 in comparison to proceding year. The results indicate a need to further promote Measles Elimination Program in Poland, maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.

Background: A number of chickenpox cases, occurring especially in children, indicates the rationale for the use of chickenpox vaccinations. In Poland since 2002, chickenpox vaccination is included in the National Immunisation Programme as recommended., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2012 in comparison to previous years., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2012" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2013, NIZP-PZH i GIS). National Immunisation Programme for year 2012 was also used., Results: In 2012, 208 276 cases of chickenpox were registered in Poland. The highest number of cases was reported in Śląskie voivodeship, the lowest in Podlaskie voivodeship. Mumps incidence was 540.5 per 100 000 and was higher than in 2011 (448.7). The highest incidence was recorded in children aged 4 years (7 611.5 per 100 000). The chickenpox incidence among men (570.7) was higher than among women (512.2). The incidence among rural residents (553.9) was higher than among urban residents (531.8). Number of cases hospitalized due to mumps was 1 361. Number of people vaccinated against chickenpox was 56 213., Summary: In 2012, there was an increase in the incidence of smallpox in Poland. This trend is continuing since 2004, which can be partly explained by improved surveillance of the disease.

Background: In 2004, Poland has adopted the WHO goal of rubella elimination and congenital rubella syndrome prevention. Participation in the rubella elimination program requires clinical diagnosis of rubella to be confirmed with laboratory test. In Poland, until 2003, national vaccination recommendation included a dose of rubella vaccine only for girls aged 13 years. Among men, the incidence of measles remained high creating a risk of infection of non-immune pregnant women which may lead to the development of congenital rubella syndrome in the child., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of rubella in Poland in 2012, including vaccination coverage in Polish population., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2012"., Results: In 2012, there was a significant increase in the number of cases of rubella - 6 263 cases (in 2011, 4 290 cases) - and the increase in incidence (from 11.1 per 100 thousand. 16.3). The highest incidence rate, regardless of gender and the environment, was observed among adolescents aged 15-19 years (118.0 per 100 000). As in 2011, the incidence of rubella in boys and men was higher than the incidence in girls and women (25.6 versus 7.5). In 2012, no cases of congenital rubella syndrome were registered., Summary and Conclusions: The proportion of laboratory tests confirming/excluding rubella infection is still very low in Poland. In 2012, only 0.2% of rubella cases were laboratory confirmed.

Background: Vaccination against mumps, introduced initially as recommended, from 2003 is mandatory in Poland and given as two dose scheme with MMR vaccine (mumps, measles, and rubella). Despite observed decline in mumps incidence for over a decade which is a result of conducted vaccinations, mumps is still a common childhood disease in Poland., Aim: To assess epidemiological situation of mumps in Poland in 2012, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years., Methods: The descriptive analysis was based on data retrieved from routine mandatory surveillance system and published in the annual bulletins "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2012" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2012" (Czarkowski MP i in., Warszawa 2013, NIZP-PZH i GIS). Mumps cases were classified according to the criteria of surveillance case definition implemented in the European Union (Commission Decision of 28 April 2008 amending Decision 2002/253/EC). National Immunisation Programme for year 2012 was also used., Results: In total, there were 2779 mumps cases registered in Poland in 2012. Incidence of mumps was 7.2 per 100 000 and it was higher by 7.5% in comparison with 2011 and lower by 19.4% in comparison to median for the years 2006-2010. The highest incidence rate was observed among children aged 5 years (71.8 per 100 000). Incidence in women (5.9) was lower than in men (8.6). In 2012, 25 people were hospitalized due to mumps. Vaccination coverage of children aged 3 years in Poland in 2012 was 97.9%., Conclusions: Systematic execution of mumps vaccination in accordance with the National Immunisation Programme resulted in a significant decrease in the number of registered cases. Due to the high vaccination coverage further decline in the number of cases is expected.

Introduction: Since 2001 Poland has endorsed measles elimination programme which is coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO). To accomplish measles elimination in the country, achievement of vaccination coverage at 95% in the population is needed, as is the monitoring of the epidemiological situation, i.e.: reporting on cases suspected of measles and conducting laboratory diagnostics in WHO Reference Laboratory. Polish Reference Laboratory is located at the Department of Virology (NIPH-NIH)., Objectives: The aim of the article is to analyze the epidemiological situation of measles in Poland in 2010 with presenting the measles vaccination coverage and the progress of the measles elimination programme in Poland., Material and Methods: The epidemiological situation of measles in Poland was analyzed on the basis of the case-based questionnaires of cases suspected of measles sent to NIPH-NIH by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations, data from the publications: "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2010" and "Vaccinations in Poland in 2010" (MP. Czarkowski et al., Warsaw 2011, NIPH-NIH, Chief Sanitary Inspectorate)., Results: In 2010, 13 cases of measles were notified to the surveillance system in Poland (incidence 0.03 per 100 000 population) and only six of them (46.1%) were laboratory confirmed. The highest incidence was observed in the age group 0-4 and was estimated at 0.3 per 100 000 population. Out of all cases, 9 (69.2%) were hospitalized. No fatal cases due to the measles were reported. In 2010 the maintenance of high vaccination coverage among children aged 2 and 11 years old was observed--from 84.9% to 99.7% (primary vaccination, children born in 2009-2004) and from 0.6 % to 96.6% (booster vaccination, children born in 2003-1999). A total of 38 measles cases and cases suspected of measles were reported (10% of the expected notifications)., Conclusions: The epidemiological situation of measles in 2010 in comparison with the situation in 2009, has improved (decline in the incidence amounting to 87%). The low number of measles notifications reflects the low sensitivity of the measles surveillance system. Irrespective of that, the vaccination coverage was sustained at the satisfactory level. In order to achieve the improvement of the measles surveillance system, promoting of the measles elimination programme among the physicians is necessary with focusing on the necessity to report and laboratory confirm all measles cases and the cases suspected of measles.

In Poland, 7,587 cases of rubella were registered in 2009 (incidence 19.9 per 100,000 population). According to a new rubella case definition, introduced in 2009, 7 (0.1%) cases were classified as confirmed cases, 30 (0.4%) as probable. One case of congenital rubella syndrome was reported. The incidence in men (26.6) was 1.9-times higher than in women (13.6). The highest incidence was observed in children aged 7 and 8 years (180.3 and 175.6, respectively). No rubella deaths were registered. An improvement of laboratory diagnosis of reported cases is necessary to assess the impact of 2-dose immunization implemented in 2003 on rubella epidemiology in Poland.

In Poland 115 measles cases were registered in 2009 (0.3 per 100,000 population). The most affected age group were children aged 0-4 years (incidence 2.02 per 100,000 population) and 6-year olds (1.43). 79 measles cases (69%) were hospitalized, no deaths were recorded. Poland participates in the WHO Measles Elimination Strategy. Presently, the most important is the maintenance of a sensitive and timely surveillance of measles and measles-compatible cases, with serologic testing of one suspect case per 100,000 population. The performance of the surveillance system was insufficient with only 147 measles-compatible cases reported in 2009 (39% of expected reports). Serologic confirmation of cases was also insufficient, with 62 cases (54%) confirmed by IgM ELISA test. These results indicate the need to maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.

In Poland, 13,146 cases of rubella were registered in 2008 (incidence 34.5 per 100,000 population), of which 69 (0.5%) cases were laboratory confirmed. One case of congenital rubella syndrome was reported. The incidence in men (51.9) was 2.8-times higher than in women (18.2). The highest incidence was observed in children aged 7 and 8 years (331,4 and 268,2, respectively). No rubella deaths were registered. An improvement of laboratory diagnosis of reported cases is necessary to assess the impact of 2-dose immunization implemented in 2003 on rubella epidemiology in Poland.

The aim of the study was to obtain information on parents' knowledge about mandatory and recommended vaccinations in Poland. Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) method was used. The interviews were collected from parents who had children aged < or = 3 years. Two-stage sampling was used: first, a list of 3,000 households with children < or = 3 years was quota-selected from a consumer database collecting contact information from 95% mothers during deliveries; in the second stage, random digit dialling was used to attempt the interview with parents. The questionnaire applied was based on the survey developed by UK Department of Health. A total of 1045 interviews were collected, 960 from mothers, and 85 from fathers. The response rate was 77%. Mean age of parents was 28.9. Most parents (72%) had secondary or lower level of education. General practitioners (about 90% respondents) were found the most important, and the most reliable source of information for parents. Media (66%), including Internet (18%), were the second main source of theirs knowledge, but they were not considered as reliable source. Parental knowledge on obligatory vaccinations included in the childhood immunization schedule was found to be very low. Only 30% and 5% of respondents spontaneously recognized polio and Hib vaccines, respectively mandatory. The largest proportion of respondents indicated hepatitis B (46%) and tuberculosis (45%) as serious illness, and only 22% and 23% considered diphteria, and measles as serious diseases. Poor knowledge on childhood immunisations among Polish parents needs to be addressed by improvement of reliable information on vaccines and vaccine safety.

The aim of the study was to obtain information on parents' attitudes towards vaccinations included in the childhood immunisation schedule. Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) method was used. The interviews were collected from parents who had children aged three years old. Two-stage sampling was used: firstly, a list of 3,000 households with children < 3 years old was quota-selected from a consumer database collecting contact information from 95% mothers during deliveries. Random digit dialling was used to attempt the interview with parents. The 40-item questionnaire was based on the questionnaire developed by UK Department of Health. Overall, the perception of routine, mandatory immunization of children was positive. Only 17 parents (1.6%) refused the vaccination which had been offered, and 398 parents (38.0%) paid for a vaccine recommended for their child. In general, parents believed that immunisations were important for protecting the society against infectious diseases, although they found some problems in the way vaccines were delivered. Approximately half of respondents thought that vaccination against many diseases was harmful. In terms of perception of the risk related to vaccines parents were less confident in the currently introduced vaccines and those which protect against diseases rarely seen in the population. Pneumococcal vaccine was considered as risky by 27 persons (2.6%), and polio vaccine by 17 (1.6%). Greater concern about the safety of vaccines was expressed by older parents, residents of towns and highly educated individuals. Systematic monitoring of parents' attitudes towards vaccination would help to address public health actions more adequately.

In Poland 100 measles cases were registered in 2008 (0.26 per 100,000 population). The most affected age group were children aged 0-4 years (incidence 1.24 per 100,000 population) and 5-year olds (0.86). 83 measles cases (83%) were hospitalized, no deaths were recorded. Poland participates in the WHO Measles Elimination Strategy. Presently, the most important is the maintenance of a sensitive and timely surveillance of measles and measles-compatible cases, with serologic testing of one suspect case per 100,000 population. The performance of the surveillance system was insufficient with only 177 measles-compatible cases reported in 2008 (46% of expected reports). Serologic confirmation of cases was also insufficient, with 89 cases (89%) confirmed by IgM ELISA test. These results indicate the need to maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.

In this study we present the nested RT-PCR strategy designed for detection of TBEV RNA in ticks Ixodes ricinus. The presented nested RT-PCR method using 2 different primer pairs specific primers for NS5 gene provides specific TBEV cDNA detectable by electroforesis in agarose gel. Of the 177 polls of ticks investigated, TBEV RNA was detected in 14, which accounts for 7.9% of all pools. We confront the PCR results of tested ticks to routine surveillance data. The obtained results showed that the TBEV RNA is detectable in ticks collected in areas in Poland, which are defined as an non-endemic. The nested RT-PCR method can be used as a tool of epidemiological surveillance as well as for screening of occurrence of circulating TBEV.

In Poland 40 measles cases were registered in 2007 (0.1 per 100,000 population). The most affected age group were infants (incidence 1.32 per 100,000 population) and 6-year olds (0.81). 18 measles cases (45%) were hospitalized, no deaths were recorded. Poland participates in the WHO Measles Elimination Strategy. Presently, the most important is the maintenance of a sensitive and timely surveillance of measles and measles-compatible cases, with serologic testing of one suspect case per 100,000 population. The performance of the surveillance system was insufficient with only 152 measles-compatible cases reported in 2007 (38% of expected reports). Serologic confirmation of cases was also insufficient, with 29 cases (73%) confirmed by IgM ELISA test. These results indicate the need to maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.

In Poland, 22,891 cases of rubella were registered in 2007 (incidence 60.1 per 100,000 population), of which 152 (0.7%) cases were laboratory confirmed. No cases of congenital rubella syndrome were reported. The incidence in men (88.7) was 62.5% higher than in women (33.3). The highest incidence was observed in children aged 6 and 7 years (492.8 and 540.5, respectively). No rubella deaths were registered. An improvement in diagnostic certainty of reported cases is necessary to assess the impact of 2-dose immunization implemented in 2003 on rubella epidemiology in Poland.

In Poland, 20,668 cases of rubella were registered in 2006 (incidence 54.2 per 100,000 population), of which 103 (0.5%) cases were laboratory confirmed, and 173 (0.8%) were confirmed based on the epidemiological link with laboratory confirmed cases. The remaining 98.7% were reported based on clinician's diagnosis. No cases of congenital rubella syndrome were reported. In 2006 a 1.6-fold increase in incidence was noted, compared to 2005. As in 2005 rubella incidence among residents of urban areas was lower, compared to residents of rural areas (43.6 and 71.0 respectively). The incidence in men (68.5) was 67% higher than in women (40.8). The highest incidence was observed in children aged 8 and 9 years (468.6 and 488.1, respectively). Approximately 0.37% of cases required hospital admission. No rubella deaths were registered. Only 276 cases (1.3%) were confirmed either serologically or by epidemiological link to a laboratory-confirmed case. An improvement in diagnostic certainty of reported is necessary to assess the impact of 2-dose immunization implemented in 2003 on rubella epidemiology in Poland.

Currently an ecologic study assessing the relationship between tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) with diverse environmental and social factors at the lowest administrative level is developed for Poland. Because the disease is affecting only part of the country, the authors will try to identify factors which could explain this uneven geographic distribution of the disease. To increase precision of the analysis we will utilize the highest possible resolution of the analysis, for which routinely collected data are available. Part of the data at the commune level will be obtained from the Polish communicable disease surveillance system and the Central Statistical Office, and part will be obtained using GIS tools from maps prepared by diverse institutions. The outcome studied will be TBE cases assigned to commune of residence or to place of exposure. The explanatory variables will be: land use categories (percent of commune area and their border length), meteorological variables (temperatures, rainfall), socio-economic status of communes (income per capita, unemployment rate), and Lyme borreliosis incidence (as a complex indicator of tick activity and human to tick exposure).

In 2006, 15,115 cases of mumps were reported in Poland. The incidence (39.6 per 100,000) was considerably lower compared to 2005 (188.5) and to the median incidence in 2000-2004 (104.6). The decrease of mumps incidence in 2006 is related to high coverage of routine two-dose immunisation against measles, mumps and rubella, maintained since its implementation in 2003. Children 5-9 year old were the most affected age group (incidence 328.7 per 100,000). Since the immunisation schedule during 2003-2006 involved administration of MMR doses at the ages of 2 and 10 years, a stable decrease of mumps incidence is expected after routine immunisation will cover the school age birth cohorts (6-14 year olds). Of 15,115 cases, 656 (4.3%) were hospitalized and no deaths attributed to mumps were reported.

The dangerous for health nitrate and nitrite can penetrate with food human organism for this reason in study the influence of thermal processing and storage on the level of these compounds in the vegetables was determined. The content of nitrates and nitrites was determined in such vegetables as carrot, parsley-root, celery and potatoes growing by farmers in the Podlasie province. Nitrates and nitrites were assessed in fresh and boiled vegetables as well as in the stock and in carrot juice. These compounds were also determined after storage of vegetables at +4 degrees C for 2 weeks and at -15 degrees C for 1 and 3 months. Nitrates and nitrites concentrations were assayed colorimetrically by the Griess method modified to food investigation. Boiling reduced nitrate content in the vegetables. Considerable part (about 50%) of these compounds passed into stock during boiling. Storage of these vegetables at +4 degrees C resulted in slight lowering of nitrate content in carrot and parsley-root and marked elevation in celery. Cold storage of vegetables through 1 and 3 months had no important influence on nitrate content. Boiling decreased the content of nitrites similarly as nitrates. Storage of the vegetables at +4 degrees C through 2 weeks led to an increase in nitrite content in carrot and parsley-root while in celery the content of nitrites was reduced. Storage of vegetables at -15 degrees C resulted in lowering content of nitrite. The study revealed that the vegetable-roots (carrot, parsley and celery) and potatoes cultivated in the Podlasie province as well as in the other provinces were excessively contaminated by nitrates and nitrites. Moreover, it has been shown that thermal processing such as boiling considerably reduced the content of nitrates and nitrites in these vegetables while freezing changed mainly nitrite content.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been found to play an important role as a signal molecule in many parts of the organism. However, under certain conditions, like hypoxia or ischemia, it acts as a cytotoxic effector molecule. It appears paradoxical that NO on the one hand acts as a physiological intercellular messenger and on the other can have damaging effects to cells. To make things even more complicated cytoprotective properties of NO are also described. Whether NO is useful or harmful depends on the rate and location of its production.