The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Bundibugyo virus outbreak has reached 6,757 confirmed cases and 3,267 deaths, expanding to a seventh province and raising cross-border concerns. In Asia, Bangladesh faces a massive measles outbreak with over 167,580 suspected cases, while the Philippines reports an escalating leptospirosis epidemic, particularly in Manila. The Americas are also experiencing significant outbreaks, with hepatitis A cases doubling in Costa Rica and the United States confirming 3,294 measles cases across 47 jurisdictions. In the Middle East, an unverified report suggests over 1,000 suspected cholera cases in Yemen’s Al-Bayda region. Other notable events include a diphtheria outbreak in Senegal with 57 confirmed cases and eight deaths, and the Netherlands reporting 18 autochthonous West Nile virus cases, its first since 2020.
Ebola virus disease, D.R. Congo
As of 7 September 2026, the DRC has reported 6,757 confirmed Bundibugyo virus cases and 3,267 deaths (CFR 48.3%); global totals reach 6,778 cases and 3,269 deaths, with spillover to Uganda (20 cases, 2 deaths), France (1), and two DRC cases treated in Germany. 1,611 patients have recovered. Since 28 August, the outbreak has expanded to Kayna (North Kivu), reaching 61 health zones across six provinces. Ituri remains the epicentre (5,406 cases); North Kivu follows (1,066 cases, local CFR 65.4% under investigation). A new case has now been confirmed in Sud-Ubangi: a seventh province, far from the epicentre, in a man who died in Gwaka after transiting South Kivu, Rwanda, and Uganda; 38 contacts are quarantined, with cross-border spread concerns toward CAR and Republic of Congo. Contact tracing reached 85.3% of 24,719 contacts. WHO's risk remains very high nationally, high for neighbours, low globally. Ervebo vaccination continues under research protocol.
Measles, global updates
Bangladesh is running the world's largest active outbreak, with over 167,580 suspected cases and more than 1,000 deaths since mid-March 2026; 70% of early cases occurred in infants below vaccination age, triggering an emergency measles-rubella campaign. Guatemala has reported 33,334 confirmed cases and 41 deaths as of late August. Transmission is slowing, but infant (under1 year) case-fatality remains critical at 0.55%; 63% of cases are aged 15-39 and 67.5% are unvaccinated. The United States has confirmed 3,294 cases across 47 jurisdictions in 2026, 95% outbreak-associated, spanning 38 new outbreaks: already well above 2025's full-year 2,289
West Nile virus, Europe
By 3 September 2026, 1,086 locally acquired human infections and 61 deaths have been recorded, well above the ten-year average of 736, pointing to intense viral circulation. Italy accounts for nearly half the burden (516 cases, 25 deaths), followed by Greece (284 cases, 24 deaths), Spain, Romania, North Macedonia, and France, spanning 143 regions across 15 countries. As in prior years, most patients are men aged 65 or older; 78% were hospitalised and the case fatality rate sits near 6%, below the decade average of 10%. Ten countries reported 121 equine and 280 avian outbreaks, with Italy dominant in birds (218). Notable signals include an unprecedented cluster around Skopje (55 cases, seven deaths) and continued animal-only circulation in Belgium. In the Netherlands, RIVM's latest update doubles the domestic count to 18 cases across six provinces, with three deaths and 58 infected horses.
Cholera, Yemen
An unverified media report indicates more than 1,000 suspected cholera cases occurred in Al-Bayda during August 2026 amid a government counter-offensive. This follows sustained nationwide transmission, with Yemen reporting 3,177 cases in the first quarter of 2026 and over 339,000 suspected cases since March 2024. The country has experienced recurrent, large-scale outbreaks since 2016 driven by protracted conflict and damaged infrastructure.
Hepatitis A, Costa Rica
The number of hepatitis A cases in Costa Rica has doubled in 2026. According to recent reports, these infections are primarily concentrated in San José. No specific case counts, severity indicators, or suspected sources of exposure are detailed in the available report.
Leptospirosis, Philippines
An outbreak in Manila has reached the epidemic threshold, with the attack rate rising from 1.27% to 3.48% and several district hospitals reaching full capacity. Authorities are distributing free doxycycline to flood-affected residents. Nationally, the Philippines reported 6,253 cases and 378 deaths (6.05% case fatality rate) from January 1 to August 29, 2026, including a 77% increase in cases between mid-July and mid-August.
Suspected outbreak with animal deaths and human cases across three rural districts, mainly cuntaneous.
Outbreak reported in Ziarat Kaka Sahib, Nowshera, with unverified suspected case counts.
Unverified media reports indicate over 1000 suspected cases in Al-Bayda during August 2026.
Seven confirmed cases and one death reported in Yazd Province since March 2026.
One PCR-confirmed case hospitalized in Rosso district following exposure to livestock; patient remains stable.
43,904 hospitalizations and 121 deaths reported as of 7 September 2026.
65,979 infections and 62 fatalities reported up to Epidemiological Week 35, a 66% increase.
111 locally transmitted cases reported this year, primarily DENV-2, with Hillsborough County most affected.
57 confirmed cases and eight deaths reported across 15 health districts since August 2026.
Second equine case and one human case reported in Roscommon County this year.
80 new confirmed cases and 49 deaths reported; outbreak expands to Sud-Ubangi province.
Cases have doubled in 2026, with infections primarily concentrated in San José.
First confirmed case of 2026 reported amid peak vector season in September.
Multiple clusters reported across several states, including a 92-case cluster in New York City.
Outbreak reaches epidemic threshold with hospitals at full capacity; 6,253 national cases reported.
343 cases reported since January 2026, with 76 locally acquired infections.
Over 167,580 suspected cases and 1,000 deaths reported across all eight divisions since March.
33,334 confirmed cases and 41 deaths by late August, with critical infant mortality rates.
348 confirmed cases and 26 deaths reported, with outbreaks among students in three counties.
Marked case surge in Cabinda with community transmission and a vaccination response underway.
1,298 confirmed cases and 19 deaths reported across more than 40 counties over three months.
23 wild poliovirus type 1 cases reported in 2026, concentrated in border provinces.
Fourth WPV1 case of 2026 reported in a child from Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
9-year-old hospitalized with brain infection after bathing at Kursi Beach, Sea of Galilee.
18 autochthonous cases and three deaths reported across six provinces, the first since 2020.
The ESCMID-AUMC Epi Alert, a strategic collaboration between the ESCMID Emerging Infections Subcommittee and the Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine of Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC) that integrates expertise and resources to advance emerging infectious diseases surveillance and intelligence sharing. This collaboration integrates ESCMID's extensive international network and emerging infections expertise with AUMC's proven surveillance capabilities, led by Dr. Abraham Goorhuis and the AUMC team and other collaborators form European Institutions.
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