Ebola virus disease, DRC: Ministry of Health declared outbreak over on December 1, 2025, after 42-day countdown. Total of 64 cases (53 confirmed, 11 probable) and 45 deaths (CFR: 70.3%).
Marburg virus disease, Ethiopia: Outbreak expanding beyond initial epicentre (Jinka, South Ethiopia Regional State). Total: 12 confirmed cases, 7 deaths (CFR: 58.3%).
Seasonal Influenza, Global Update: Europe reports elevated activity (8 countries); A(H3N2) predominant (81%). Early vaccine effectiveness data: 72-75% in children/adolescents, 32-39% in adults, similar to recent seasons, comparable to recent seasons despite antigenic drift (subclade K). USA: 650,000 illnesses, 7,400 hospitalisations, 300 deaths reported in 2025-2026 season to date.
Measles, global: WHO reports 88% reduction in measles deaths since 2000, but cases surging globally amid declining vaccination coverage. In the Americas, Canada reports the highest case count in the region, followed by Mexico with 5,314 cumulative cases and the USA with 1,798 cases nationally (Utah outbreak: 102). Europe reports new outbreaks in Poland (18 cases, Subcarpathia) and Estonia's first autochthonous case of 2025. Israel faces ongoing crisis with 11th paediatric death. Africa's Uganda outbreak reports 74 cases and 11 deaths (CFR: 14.9%). The Pacific region sees Australia reporting its first Tasmania case since February 2023.
South Sudan: Flooding (961,000 affected), armed conflict, food insecurity (7.7 million; 83,000 famine conditions), and humanitarian funding cuts drive cascading health crisis, resulting in record cholera outbreak (94,549 cases, 1,567 deaths), rising malaria (5.5 million annual cases), and respiratory infections (1/3 of outpatient consultations).
Hepatitis A, Europe: Multi-country outbreak (Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia) reports 6,000+ cases (HAV sub-genotype IB) and 39 deaths. Deaths primarily in adults 55-74 with co-morbidities. Cross-border transmission via two related viral clusters.
The Democratic Republic of Congo officially declared the end of its Ebola outbreak on 01 December, with a final toll of 64 cases and 45 deaths. Ethiopia faces expanding Marburg virus disease beyond Jinka, reporting 12 confirmed cases and 7 deaths. Europe experiences elevated seasonal influenza activity with A(H3N2) predominance; early vaccine effectiveness data shows 72-75% protection in children but only 32-39% in adults despite antigenic drift. The USA reports 650,000 influenza illnesses and 300 deaths. Global measles resurgence continues with, particularly in the Americas (Mexico: 5,314 cases; USA: 1,798 cases) and Israel (11th paediatric death). Europe reports multi-country hepatitis A outbreak affecting Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia with over 6,000 cases and 39 deaths. South Sudan faces cascading health crisis with record cholera outbreak, rising malaria, and respiratory infections amid flooding, armed conflict, and humanitarian funding cuts.
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.
The Epi Alert aims for weekly publication, with frequency adapted to emerging threats. The briefings are curated by infectious disease specialists prioritising data from trusted sources (WHO, ECDC, CDC, ProMED) based on potential impact, geographic region and urgency/relevancy to clinical practice. It aims to provide concise summaries for busy healthcare professionals with direct links for further investigation and transparency.
This integrated collaboration represents a significant milestone in ESCMID's commitment to emerging infections preparedness, strengthening our collective capacity to detect, analyse, and respond to infectious disease threats through international cooperation.
Disclaimer: The information in this epi-alert is a weekly summary of the information that is available on the internet, mainly the websites of WHO, ECDC, CDC, and others. For this summary, we consider issues that are most relevant to the ESCMID members involved in clinical patient care. Therefore, this report is not comprehensive, but we strive to include all major global issues in this report on a weekly basis.
On 14 November 2025, Ethiopia confirmed its first outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. This outbreak represents a significant epidemiological shift: Ethiopia has never previously reported MVD. Genetic sequencing suggests the strain is closely related to East African lineages, pointing to a regional reservoir. Laboratory testing identified Marburg virus in samples from a cluster of suspected haemorrhagic fever cases. To date, 10 cases have been reported, including five fatalities (CFR 50%), two among healthcare workers, highlighting the risk of nosocomial transmission. A total of 57 suspected cases have been investigated, including four in the past 24 hours.
The recent re-emergence of avian influenza (H5N1) in parts of Asia, including isolated human cases in Cambodia and India, highlights the need for continued vigilance. While sustained human-to-human transmission has not been observed, the current situation warrants close monitoring. Strengthening surveillance, improving poultry vaccination strategies, and promoting regional One Health collaborations can support risk assessment and management, including early containment efforts.
Since the previous update on 5 May 2025, and as of 12 May 2025, nine new MERS-CoV cases—including two deaths—have been reported by health authorities in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of cases this year to ten.
Seven of the recent cases were part of the same cluster in Riyadh, including one patient with no history of contact with camels and six healthcare workers who acquired nosocomial infections from that patient in early May.
The risk of sustained human-to-human transmission in Europe remains very low. However, the current MERS-CoV situation is concerning, as this rise in cases comes just two weeks ahead of the Mecca pilgrimage—a period typically associated with high international travel.
Since April 2012, and as of 12 May 2025, a total of 2,638 confirmed MERS cases—including 957 deaths—have been reported globally.
A Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak is evolving in Rwanda, East Africa. As of 7 October 2024, over 40 confirmed MVD cases have been reported, mainly in healthcare facilities in Kigali, with many healthcare workers affected. This outbreak represents a spread from known endemic areas to urban settings, including nosocomial transmission in Kigali hospitals. While outbreaks are typically limited to remote areas, this one spans across Rwanda, with potential for satellite cases and further spread. No vaccines or treatments are currently available.
This compilation includes the latest news, publications, and resources, covering recent developments such as vaccine distribution in Africa and WHO policy updates. It provides links to '2022-2024 Mpox Outbreak: Global Trends,' which features interactive dashboards and epidemiological data. This update offers a brief overview of the developments of the mpox situation for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers.
As of August 2024, the world is facing a significant mpox outbreak, primarily affecting countries in Central and East Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries, with cases reported across several regions. The outbreak is characterised by the sustained human-to-human transmission of the clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV).
This ESCMID EIS mpox commentary provides up-to-date, evidence-based information on mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) for healthcare professionals, researchers, and public health officials.
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