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Summary Background Understanding the duration of protection and risk of reinfection after natural infection is crucial to planning COVID-19 vaccination for at-risk groups, including care home residents, particularly with the emergence of more transmissible variants. We report on the duration, neutralising activity, and protection against the alpha variant of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in care home residents and staff infected more than 6 months previously. Methods We did this prospective observational cohort surveillance in 13 care homes in Greater London, England. All staff and residents were included. Staff and residents had regular nose and throat screening for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR according to national guidelines, with ad hoc testing of symptomatic individuals. From January, 2021, antigen lateral flow devices were also used, but positive tests still required RT-PCR confirmation. Staff members took the swab samples for themselves and the residents. The primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive primary infection or reinfection in previously infected individuals, as determined by previous serological testing and screening or diagnostic RT-PCR results. Poisson regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate protective effectiveness of previous exposure. SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleoprotein, and neutralising antibodies were assessed at multiple timepoints as part of the longitudinal follow-up. Findings Between April 10 and Aug 3, 2020, we recruited and tested 1625 individuals (933 staff and 692 residents). 248 participants were lost to follow-up (123 staff and 125 residents) and 1377 participants were included in the follow-up period to Jan 31, 2021 (810 staff and 567 residents). There were 23 reinfections (ten confirmed, eight probable, five possible) in 656 previously infected individuals (366 staff and 290 residents), compared with 165 primary infections in 721 susceptible individuals (444 staff and 277 residents). Those with confirmed reinfections had no or low neutralising antibody concentration before reinfection, with boosting of titres after reinfection. Kinetics of binding and neutralising antibodies were similar in older residents and younger staff. Interpretation SARS-CoV-2 reinfections were rare in older residents and younger staff. Protection from SARS-CoV-2 was sustained for longer than 9 months, including against the alpha variant. Reinfection was associated with no or low neutralising antibody before reinfection, but significant boosting occurred on reinfection. Funding Public Health England.

We investigated a secondary school (11–16 year-olds), a primary school (5–11 year-olds), reception year (4–5 year-olds) and a nursery (2–5 year-olds) following confirmed monkeypox in an adult in each educational setting during June and July 2022. MVA-BN vaccine was offered up to 14 days post exposure to 186 children

We investigated a COVID-19 outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern in a London care home, where 8/21 residents and 14/21 staff had received a single dose of Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S; AstraZeneca) vaccine. We identified 24 SARS-CoV-2 infections (16 residents, 8 staff) among 40 individuals (19 residents, 21 staff); four (3 residents, 1 staff) were hospitalised, and none died. The attack rate after one vaccine dose was 35.7% (5/14) for staff and 81.3% (13/16) for residents.

Two London care homes experienced a second COVID-19 outbreak, with 29/209 (13.9%) SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR-positive cases (16/103 residents, 13/106 staff). In those with prior SARS-CoV-2 exposure, 1/88 (1.1%) individuals (antibody positive: 87; RT-PCR-positive: 1) became PCR-positive compared with 22/73 (30.1%) with confirmed seronegative status. After four months protection offered by prior infection against re-infection was 96.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72.7–99.5%) using risk ratios from comparison of proportions and 96.1% (95% CI: 78.8–99.3%) using a penalised logistic regression model.

The United Kingdom (UK) has reported a single detection of the eggs of the invasive mosquito vector Aedes albopictus in each of the three years from 2016 to 2018, all in southeast England. Here, we report the detection of mosquito eggs on three occasions at two sites in London and southeast England in September 2019. Mosquito traps were deployed at 56 sites, in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as part of a coordinated surveillance programme with local authorities, Edge Hill University, and government departments. Response to each detection was coordinated by Public Health England&rsquo, s (PHE) local health protection teams, with technical support from PHE&rsquo, s Medical Entomology group, and control conducted by the respective local authority. Control, including source reduction and larviciding, was conducted within a 300 metre radius of the positive site. The response followed a National Contingency Plan for Invasive Mosquitoes: Detection of Incursions. Although the response to these incidents was rapid and well co-ordinated, recommendations are made to further develop mosquito surveillance and control capability for the UK.

Summary Introduction Pneumococcal outbreaks are rare but they still occur, particularly in closed settings usually involving vulnerable groups. We undertook a systematic review to identify strategies for controlling pneumococcal outbreaks since the licensure of higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). Methods A systematic literature search was performed for pneumococcal outbreaks published since 2010. A cluster was defined as two or more cases of severe pneumococcal disease in a closed setting within 14 days. Results Eleven reports were identified, including seven caused by serotypes in both the 13-valent PCV (PCV13) and the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23); two were due to a PCV13-only serotype (6A) and one each by a PCV13-related serotype (6C) and a non-vaccine serotype (15A). Eight reported infection control measures, including reinforcing hand washing, respiratory hygiene and patient cohorting. PPV23 was used in five outbreaks, while PCV13 and both vaccines were used in one outbreak each. Different antibiotics were used for chemoprophylaxis in eight outbreaks. Conclusions Most pneumococcal outbreaks are currently caused by vaccine-preventable serotypes, and PPV23 is the preferred vaccine in more than half the outbreaks. Early implementation of infection control measures is important, and antibiotic chemoprophylaxis should be considered for high-risk individuals.

Background: Opportunistic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for men who have sex with men (MSM) was piloted in sexual health clinics (SHC) in England between 2016 and 2018. Aim: to evaluate the pilot’s first year (April 2016–March 2017) in terms of feasibility, acceptability, uptake, impact and equity and interpret the outcome in the context of wide HPV vaccination policy. Methods: Attendance and uptake data from routine SHC surveillance datasets and a cross-sectional survey administered to individuals receiving the vaccine were analysed. Results: Among 18,875 eligible MSM, 8,580 (45.5%) were recorded as having received one HPV vaccine dose, decreasing slightly with increasing age, and uptake was higher in rural than urban areas. Survey results suggested that of those receiving the first dose of HPV vaccine, 8% were new attendees and that among those, less than 11% attended just to receive the vaccine. Of those having their first HPV vaccination, 95% indicated they would like to receive the next vaccine doses at the same clinic and 85% of patients reported accessing other services when visiting SHC for the first dose of vaccine. Conclusion: An opportunistic HPV vaccination programme for MSM can be delivered in an acceptable and, as far as can be evaluated, equitable manner, without major disruption to SHC and HIV clinics.

In early 2017, a United Kingdom (UK)-born person in their 20s presented with a skin ulcer on the foot 3 weeks after returning from Ghana. The patient had last received a diphtheria-containing vaccine in 2013, completing the recommended course. MALDI-TOF of a cutaneous swab identified Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Real-time PCR ascertained the species and presence of the diphtheria toxin gene. An Elek test confirmed toxigenicity. The isolate was macrolide sensitive and penicillin resistant. The local Public Health England (PHE) Health Protection Team obtained the patient’s clinical history and traced contacts to inform appropriate public health action. One close contact (in their early 80s with uncertain immunisation status who had not recently travelled) had a positive throat swab for toxigenic C. diphtheriae and reported a history of mild coryzal symptoms. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that strains from the index case and contact had Sequence Type 493*. Diphtheria is extremely rare in the UK due to high vaccine coverage and this is the first documented transmission in 30 years. Clinicians and laboratory staff should remain highly suspicious of lesions in overseas travellers, even when patients are fully vaccinated. Older individuals who might not have completed a full immunisation course may have higher diphtheria susceptibility.

Background Preventing foodborne outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease is a public health priority; however, outbreak investigations into non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica infections are challenging. Only cases with confirmed microbiological diagnoses are investigated, and links are hard to identify. Microbiological tests that offer greater discrimination between isolates are thus, in theory, attractive public health tools to identify, and interrupt, transmission. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was introduced in England in 2016 as part of routine surveillance. Here we describe its usefulness to support public health action. Methods We were alerted to a cluster of isolates of Salmonella enterica subsp enterica serovar Enteritidis (S Enteritidis) that were linked by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) comparison to a reference genome to determine genetic relatedness of bacterial isolates after whole-genome sequencing. The isolates (from stool samples) were from 18 individuals living in London in 2016 with gastrointestinal disease. We contacted all cases and undertook a standard questionnaire, and then focused questioning on, and food sampling at, the suspected infectious source, to direct public health intervention, in collaboration with environmental health officers. Findings All 18 cases were adults (age 21–70 years), five of whom were admitted to hospital. From whole-genome sequencing data, nine of the 18 isolates had no SNP differences, and nine had fewer than five SNP differences from these, of which six were identical. We identified an epidemiological link, in all cases, to a food establishment in London. S Enteritidis was subsequently isolated from food samples from this establishment and linked to isolates from the cases through whole-genome sequencing. An enforcement action and notice was served by environmental health officers to the establishment because of breaches in food hygiene, and we notified the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The contaminated food source was successfully removed to prevent further linked cases. Interpretation The introduction of whole-genome sequencing to public health surveillance, despite demanding resources, refines the microbiological data provided to public health practitioners, allowing focused epidemiological investigation on likely linked cases. As illustrated here, this can allow identification of an ongoing source, and action to prevent further transmission. Funding None.

Between October 2013 and April 2014 five elderly patients living within a 2 square mile radius, were admitted to local hospitals with severe group A streptococcal cellulitis and septicaemia. Molecular typing confirmed four patients for whom typing results were available to have the same emm gene sequence type, emm st89. An outbreak investigation was launched and identified that each patient had received care interventions from a district nursing team at their home or local health clinic in the 7 days prior to onset of symptoms.