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The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted an elimination goal for measles and rubella, which is supposed to be met in the WHO European Region (EUR) by 2015. For verification of elimination, it is required that the genotyping data of detected measles viruses provide evidence for the interruption of endemic transmission. In order to record and assess the extent of endemic measles virus (MV) circulation in a part of the EUR, we analyzed transmission chains of the epidemiologically most relevant MV variants identified in Central and continental Western Europe (CCWE) from 2006 to 2013. Based on MV sequence data deposited in the WHO global database for molecular surveillance of measles (MeaNS), the circulation period was calculated for each MV variant at the country-level and for the entire region of CCWE. The MV variants "D5-Okinawa," "D4-Hamburg," "D4-Manchester," and "D8-Frankfurt-Main" spread widely in CCWE; they caused large and long-lasting outbreaks with secondary spread that resulted in additional outbreaks. Nation-wide outbreaks (epidemics) with thousands of measles cases occurred in four countries (Switzerland, France, Bulgaria, and Romania) and were characterized by continuous detection of the same MV variant for more than 12 months suggesting endemic transmission. In the entire region of CCWE, the circulation period of the four predominant MV variants ranged from 18 to 44 months. The long-lasting MV transmission which affected predominantly unvaccinated individuals in different hard-to-reach groups and in the general population is not consistent with the measles elimination goal. Additional efforts are necessary to meet the elimination target in the EUR.

During late 2010, a previously unrecognised strain of measles genotype G3 virus was identified in five different European countries by the World Health Organization Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network.Apart from one, none had a travel history to south-east Asia, the usual source of G3 viruses, although epidemiological links could be established between some of the cases. This case series illustrates the value of genotyping and sequencing in tracking measles infections, and identifying otherwise unrecognised chains of transmission.

More than 200 antigenically distinct viruses have been documented as causes of sporadic or epidemic respiratory infections in infants and children. The lung itself is rarely sampled directly, and sputum representing lower-airway secretions can rarely be obtained from children. In addition culture of secretions from upper respiratory tract is not useful since the normal flora includes the bacteria commonly responsible for pneumonia. Clinical and radiology data only suggest the diagnosis. The development of techniques to detect antigens of the causative agent in nasopharyngeal secretions, nucleic acid by means of the polymerise-chain reaction assays has significantly improved the identification of the responsible pathogen and the choice of appropriate treatment. Since more 30 years rhinovirus, coronavirus, enterovirus, parainfluenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus were added to influenza, adenovirus and measles virus as causes of respiratory tract infections. This list of pathogens was extended last years with the discovery of human metapneumovirus, bocavirus, polyomavirus. In restricted patient groups, such as the immunocompromised, members of the family of herpesvirus have also been associated with respiratory disease.