SUMMARYOn 24 August 2008, an outbreak alert regarding cases of acute gastroenteritis in Podgorica triggered investigations to guide control measures. From 23 August to 7 September, 1699 cases were reported in Podgorica (population 136 000) and we estimated the total size of the outbreak to be 10 000-15 000 corresponding to an attack rate of y10 %. We conducted an age-and neighbourhood-matched case-control study, microbiologically analysed faecal and municipal water samples and assessed the water distribution system. All cases (83/83) and 90 % (89/90) of controls drank unboiled chlorinated municipal water [matched odds ratio (mOR) 11 . 2, 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1 . 6-O]. Consumption of bottled water was inversely associated with illness (mOR 0 . 3, 95 % CI 0 . 1-0 . 8). Analyses of faecal samples identified six norovirus genotypes (21/38 samples) and occasionally other viruses. Multiple defects in the water distribution system were noted. These results suggest that the outbreak was caused by faecally contaminated municipal water. It is unusual to have such a large outbreak in a European city especially when the municipal water supply is chlorinated. Therefore, it is important to establish effective multiple-barrier water-treatment systems whenever possible, but even with an established chlorinated supply, sustained vigilance is central to public health.

Due to an unfortunate error during the processing of the article, the given name and family name of all authors were interchanged. The original article has been corrected.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Due to expansion of vector borne diseases and their importance for human health we have investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania infantum antigens in serum samples of dogs. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. According to the World Health Organization the disease is a constant threat to 350 million people in 88 countries, provided that most Mediterranean countries belong to the area designated as endemic. Since Crna Gora is a country of Mediterranean basin, it is important to present the results of the investigation on the presence of antibodies on L. infantum antigens in blood serum of dogs, considering that dogs can be reservoirs and source of infection for humans. In the period from 2006. to 2010., there were tested 433 serum samples of dogs with clinical symptoms and 68 serum samples of dogs without symptoms of the disease. Those were dogs with visible symptoms of the disease such as alopecia, weight loss and lymphadenomegalia. In 66% of cases, there was known hematological profile with predominant hypochromic anemia and neutrophilic leukocytosis. As mentioned above, the investigation included also 68 asymptomatic dogs in good condition, out of which 45 were service dogs in use in military and police as well as 23 dogs from the asylum. By Indirect immunofluorescence test or Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IF-AT) and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT), there was determined the presence of specific antibodies to L. infantum antigens. Positive findings in the serum dilution 1:160 was deter?mined in 258 samples (59.58%) in the group of dogs with clinical symptoms, and in 5.9% in the tested asymptomatic dogs. A part of the territory of Crna Gora with its average annual air temperature of 14.6 - 17.8?C and mediterranean climate (long, warm and dry summer and mild, rainy winter) has all the prerequisites for the development and maintenance of the infection. The confirmed presence of five kinds of Phlebotomines on the territory of Crna Gora which are essential in the cycle of developing and maintaining of Leishmania species with dominant Phlebotomus neglectus species, additionally proves a great risk of occur?rence and maintenance of the disease. The obtained results of seroprevalence in dogs are in correlation with the results of 55 cases of visceral leishmaniasis recorded by the Institute for Public Health in people from 1992 to 2009. Taking into consideration that seronegative findings and absence of symptoms does not exclude the infection, as well as that seropositive finding does not necessarily confirm it, a high level of seroprevalence (of 59.58%) in dogs in urban regions of Crna Gora, recorded during 5 years period, is by itself an alarming epizootiological and epidemiological fact.

Due to an unfortunate error during the processing of the article, the given name and family name of all authors were interchanged. The original article has been corrected. Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Background: The WHO Regional Office for Europe has recently launched an online laboratory data management system (LDMS), an important data collection and reporting tool for the regional poliomyelitis (polio) laboratory network. This network of professionals, mandated by WHO, assists the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in fighting polio in the WHO European Region through laboratory detection of poliovirus. The laboratories, which are annually accredited by WHO, use the latest advancements in molecular biology to detect infection even when no symptoms are present, thus alerting public health professionals and prompting them to initiate response measures. All laboratories in the network participate in a regular external quality assurance programme to maintain a consistently high degree of sensitivity to virus detection.Methods: During the 2010 polio outbreak in the Region, the laboratory network proved it was able to provide information and results on virus origin in record time. However, the laboratories also needed to rapidly collect and disseminate large amounts of data. Seeing an opportunity to make the reporting process more streamlined and accessible, WHO worked to develop an improved online reporting tool.Results: The result of these efforts, the web-based LDMS tool, will ultimately connect virologists in all 53 Member States in near real-time to exchange investigation results. Once fully implemented in all laboratories, it will enhance acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), enterovirus and environmental surveillance in the European Region. WHO Europe will also adopt LDMS to other WHO laboratory networks, such as the measles and rubella network.Conclusion: The LDMS tool supports all modern web browsers and possesses an intuitive interface with a powerful data validation module. It also provides complete specimen traceability and helps laboratories manage data, report results and exchange information internationally. LDMS utilizes strict hierarchal data access control and password security. Depending on three levels (sub-national, national and supra-national), labs are able to view, share and edit data. LDMS also merges laboratory results with epidemiological data through the Computerized Information System for Infectious Diseases (CISID), previously developed by WHO Europe. http://dx.