Background: Despite ongoing global elimination efforts, measles remains a persistent public health threat. Methods: This retrospective observational study examines trends in crude measles incidence and vaccination coverage from 1948 to 2024 in the northern region of Serbia—Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (AP Vojvodina)—which accounts for 26.9% of the national population. This study further explores measles vaccination coverage across the province’s seven districts, along with the number of reported measles cases, age distribution, and vaccination status of affected individuals from 2000 to 2024. Data were obtained from official annual immunization records maintained by public health institutions within the framework of Serbia’s national mandatory immunization program. Results: A notable resurgence of measles occurred in Serbia during 2017–2018, following a decline in vaccination coverage. In AP Vojvodina, outbreaks were recorded in 2007, 2014–2015, and 2017–2018, predominantly affecting unvaccinated children and adults aged 20–39 years. Since 2019, the measles incidence has significantly declined. During the 2018 outbreak, the highest incidence was observed among children aged 1–4 years (40.6 per 100,000), followed by infants under 1 year (17.3 per 100,000) and adults aged 20–39 years (12.5 per 100,000). An analysis of the data from 2000 to 2024 revealed substantial age- and dose-related differences in measles incidence, particularly among unvaccinated individuals, those who had received one or two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV), and those with unknown vaccination status. During the 2017–2018 epidemic, unvaccinated children under 1 year and those aged 1–4 years were the most affected. A marked increase in cases among single-dose recipients was noted in 2018, especially in adults aged 20–39 years (9.5%) and those ≥40 years (13.5%). A considerable proportion of measles cases in these age groups had unknown vaccination status: 33.1% among individuals aged 20–39 years and 18.2% among those aged ≥ 40 years. Epidemiological investigation linked the 2007 and 2014–2015 outbreaks in AP Vojvodina to importations from Bosnia and Herzegovina. No specific source was identified for the 2017–2018 outbreak, suggesting possible endemic transmission. Conclusions: These findings underscore the impact of fluctuating vaccination coverage on measles resurgence. Sustaining high two-dose MCV coverage, strengthening routine immunization programs, enhancing surveillance systems, and ensuring timely outbreak preparedness are critical measures for achieving effective measles control.

Background/Objectives: Meningococcal disease (MD) remains a significant public health concern worldwide. In Serbia, mandatory immunization against MD with the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MenAC) for high-risk groups and international travelers was introduced in 2006. Since 2017, the polysaccharide vaccine has been replaced with the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY). The aim of this study was to analyze long-term trends in incidence, age-specific patterns, seasonality, and lethality of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (AP Vojvodina), Serbia, over a 28-year period. Methods: A descriptive study analyzed all reported cases of IMD in AP Vojvodina, from 1997 to 2024. Data were obtained from the regional communicable disease surveillance system, based on mandatory hospital reporting and case classification according to national and WHO guidelines. Temporal, demographic, and clinical characteristics, along with disease outcomes, were analyzed. Results: From 1997 to 2024, 175 IMD cases were reported in AP Vojvodina. The annual incidence peaked in 1997 (1.24/100,000), with smaller surges in 2003 and 2005. Since 2006, coinciding with the introduction of immunization against MD, a sustained decline has been observed, with incidence rarely exceeding 0.30/100,000. A slight resurgence occurred in 2023–2024, with 13 cases reported. From 1997 to 2024, IMD in AP Vojvodina exhibited a clear seasonal pattern, with most cases occurring in winter and early spring, peaking in January (17%), March (12%), and February (11%), and the fewest cases occuring in the summer months. Throughout the study period, the highest IMD incidence rates were consistently observed among infants <1 year of age and children aged 1–4 years, with peaks of up to 22.9/100,000 and 16.0/100,000, respectively. Incidence was much lower in older age groups, especially adults. After a 2006 peak, rates declined across all ages, with a slight resurgence in 2023–2024 among children and adolescents. Children aged 1–4 years made up the largest share of IMD cases, peaking in January–March (45.1%). Half of the infant cases were recorded in October–November, while cases in older children, adolescents, and adults were fewer and showed varied monthly patterns, with small peaks in winter and early spring. During the 28-year study period, the highest IMD mortality rate was observed among infants <1 year of age (0.59 per 100,000 population), followed by children aged 1–4 years (0.32 per 100,000). Mortality rates declined progressively with increasing age, with the lowest rate recorded among individuals aged ≥40 years (0.01 per 100,000). Of the 175 IMD cases reported in AP Vojvodina (1997–2024), 21 were fatal (case fatality rate [CFR] = 12.0%). The CFR of IMD varied across age groups. The highest CFR was observed among individuals aged ≥40 years (21.4%), followed by the 5–9 years (17.4%) and 0.05). Most deaths (57.1%) occurred in the first quarter of the year. A strong association was found between clinical form and outcome, with meningococcal sepsis being significantly more frequently associated with fatality than meningitis (p = 0.0002). Deaths were sporadic over time, with most occurring within 1–2 days of notification. All confirmed fatal cases were due to serogroup B. Conclusions: MD remains a rare yet serious public health threat in AP Vojvodina. Mortality rates indicate that the public health impact of this disease is greatest among the youngest age groups; however, the risk of death, i.e., disease severity, does not appear to be age dependent. The recent rise in cases, high fatality among sepsis patients, and absence of prior vaccination among all IMD cases highlight the need for enhanced surveillance, physician education, and consideration of introducing both MenACWY and MenB vaccines for high-risk groups.

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Background: Nosocomial or health care associated infections (HAIs) occur in all hospitals in the world. Integrated infection control program, with HAI surveillance as its cornestone, can reduce the incidence of HAIs as significant public health challange and contribute to economic benefits. Aim of the paper is to report the prevalence and epidemiological features of HAI in Vojvodina hospitals. Methods and Objectives: Synchronous point prevalence study (PPS), in all hospitals in Vojvodina province in November 2022, according to the Fifth National PPS and the Second European PPS. The study population included all patients present in the ward on the surveillance day. Data were collected by uniform questionnaires, created by the scientific ECDC board of the study. Data were entered into specifically created Helix database and were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results and Conclusion: A total of 2812 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of patients with HAI was 6.9 % (95% CI: 5.9%-7.9%) and the prevalence of HAI was 7.5% (95% CI: 6.6%-8.6%). The HAI prevalence was significantly different depending of ward type ranging from 1.9% in pediatric departments to 32.5% in intensive care departments. The most common types of HAI were urinary tract infections (25.9%), pneumonia (20.3%) and surgical site infections (12.7%), followed by gastro-intestinal Clostridioides difficile infections (9.4%) and CVC related bloodstream infections (5.2%). The most commonly found microorganisms were: Klebsiella pneumoniae (27,7%), Enterococcus spp. (11,5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10,4%), Acinetobacter spp. (9,8%) and Clostridioides difficile (8.4%). The most frequently used antibiotics in therapy were the third generation cephalosporins (26,7%), to which most of the isolates showed resistance. Although the consumption of carbapenems in this sample was only 7.6%, registered carbapenem resistance in some bacteria indicates more frequent and longer use of carbapenems in hospitals with the side effect of selective pressure.