Schistosomiasis remains one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases worldwide and the infection is frequently found in travelers and migrants. The European Network for Tropical Medicine and Travel Health conducted a sentinel surveillance study on imported schistosomiasis between 1997 and 2010. This report summarizes epidemiological and clinical data from 1,465 cases of imported schistosomiasis. Direct pathogen detection and serology were the main diagnostic tools applied. Of these, 486 (33%) cases were identified among European travelers, 231 (16%) among long-term expatriates, and 748 (51%) among non-European immigrants. Overall, only 18.6% of travelers had received pretravel advice; 95% of infections were acquired in the African region. On species level, Schistosoma mansoni was identified in 570 (39%) and Schistosoma haematobium in 318 (22%) cases; 57.5% of patients were symptomatic. Acute symptoms were reported in 27% of patients leading to earlier presentation within 3 months. Praziquantel was used in all patients to treat schistosomiasis. Many infections were detected in asymptomatic patients. In 47.4% of asymptomatic patients infection was detected by microscopy and in 39% by serology or antigen testing. Schistosomiasis remains a frequent infection in travelers and migrants to Europe. Travelers should be made aware of the risk of schistosomiasis infection when traveling to sub-Saharan Africa. Posttravel consultations particularly for returning expatriates are useful given the high potential for detecting asymptomatic infections.

Dengue-Fieber ist die häufigste tropenspezifische Viruserkrankung, die nach Deutschland importiert wird. Klinisch handelt es sich um eine akute, hoch fieberhafte Erkrankung mit Myalgien, Kopfschmerzen und variablem Exanthem. Bei Reinfektion kann es zu hämorrhagischem Dengue-Fieber oder Dengue-Schocksyndrom kommen. Eine spezifische Therapie gibt es nicht. Seit Anfang 2023 ist in Europa eine neue Impfung gegen Dengue-Fieber verfügbar. Article published online: 12 February 2024 © 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved. CRM Centrum für Reisemedizin GmbH Burgunderstraße 31, 40549 Düsseldorf, Germany

Background: The global incidence of dengue has markedly increased over the last decades. Consequently, the risk of infection has increased significantly, resulting in record numbers of imported cases in various European countries and elsewhere in 2024. Methods: In early 2023, TAK-003, a novel, live attenuated vaccine against dengue, became available in Germany. At the Berlin Centre for Travel & Tropical Medicine, we delivered 56,459 doses during the first 24 months of its availability, from February 2023 to February 2025. To obtain data on the tolerability of the vaccine in travelers, an active follow-up survey was initiated. Results: In total, 30,306 (53.7%) vaccinees agreed to being contacted. Of these, 11,827 (39.0%) completed an anonymous questionnaire ≥ 4 weeks after the vaccination. Overall, 6856 (58.0%) were female, and 565 (4.8%) reported having had a prior dengue infection. The average age was 38.3 years (range 4–86 years). An endemic area had been visited by 6309 subjects before answering the questionnaire, and among these, 46 (0.7%) reported a dengue infection while abroad. All cases were mild, and no complications were reported. TAK-003 was applied with other vaccines in 7363 (62.3%) travelers. Local adverse reactions, mostly local pain, were reported by 5263 (47.5%) subjects. Systemic reactions were reported by 4891 subjects (41.4%) and were most frequently fatigue, myalgia, and flu-like symptoms. The majority of adverse events manifested in the second week after vaccination (median 8 days) and were mostly limited to a duration of 1–3 days. A macular exanthema was described by 1844 subjects (15.6%), typically during the second week after the vaccination. Conclusions: Side effects were frequently reported but generally well tolerated. Age groups above 50 years showed a decline in reactogenicity. Co-vaccination was frequent and led to an increase in systemic adverse events. Denominator data of the study population suggest a strong reporting bias towards adverse events. This survey adds evidence of the chronology and characteristics of adverse events associated with TAK-003 and may support decision making when vaccinating dengue-naïve travelers.

IXCHIQ (VLA1553) is a licensed live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine. A post-marketing safety review, including the EU Article 20 referral to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and its Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC), was initiated following early real-world use during the 2024-2025 La Réunion outbreak. This analysis integrates global serious adverse event (SAE) data with major regulatory assessments to inform clinicians and policymakers. Serious adverse events reported from 9 November 2023 to 31 August 2025 were evaluated across major pharmacovigilance systems (EudraVigilance, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, Canada Vigilance, MHRA) and cases received by the marketing authorisation holder (MAH). By 31 August 2025, approximately 55,900 doses had been administered worldwide, yielding 35 SAEs (6.3 per 10,000 doses). One-third of doses (33%) were administered in adults ≥65 years, who accounted for 77% of SAEs, reflecting the older, multimorbid population initially targeted during outbreak response in La Réunion. The median age of persons with SAEs was 73 years; 91% had comorbidities. Most events occurred within 7 days and included systemic chikungunya-like reactions (15), neurological (13), cardiac (3), and renal (3) manifestations. Three fatalities occurred in older men with multimorbidity; one case of vaccine-strain encephalitis was considered probably related to vaccination. No manufacturing or batch-related issues were identified. Early post-marketing SAEs occurred mainly in older adults with multimorbidity, reflecting reactogenicity patterns expected with live-attenuated vaccines, while serious events were uncommon in adults <65 years relative to doses administered. Regulatory reviews concluded that IXCHIQ's overall benefit-risk balance remains favourable within authorised and nationally recommended populations, and product information was updated to reinforce warnings, precautions, and contraindications.