Chikungunya: During 2025, and as of mid-August, approximately 270,000 cases of chikungunya have been reported globally, with cases reported in Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Western Pacific, and Southeast Asia. In Europe, 290 locally transmitted cases are reported in France (227) and Italy (63).
Oropouche virus: At total of 12,786 confirmed cases occurred in the Americas, with the bulk in Brazil (11,888 cases, including 5 deaths), and additional cases in Panama, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, and a few imported cases in Canada, USA, Chile, Guyana, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
West Nile virus, Europe: The number of cases continues to rise, with the majority of cases currently in Italy (>400 cases).
Cholera, global update: Between 1 January and 17 August 2025, WHO recorded 409 ,222 cholera/acute watery diarrhoea cases and 4,738 deaths across 31 countries, with six nations reporting case fatality rates above 1%, highlighting severe gaps in care access and management. Although total cases are down compared to the same period in 2024, deaths have risen sharply. Major outbreaks are ongoing in Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan, including resurgence in areas previously unaffected.
Yellow fever, Colombia: Between 2024 and 19 August 2025, 131 yellow fever cases were confirmed with a 36.6% fatality rate (48 deaths). Cases rose sharply in 2025 (108 vs. 23 in 2024). Tolima accounted for 111 cases and 36 deaths. Sixty-six primate infections, mainly in Tolima, confirm active sylvatic transmission. The surge reflects low vaccination coverage.
As of mid-August 2025, global chikungunya cases reached ~270,000, with local transmission in France (227) and Italy (63). The Oropouche virus caused 12,786 cases in the Americas, mostly in Brazil (11,888; 5 deaths), with others across Latin America and imported cases in North America and Europe. West Nile virus continues to rise in Europe, with >400 cases in Italy. Cholera caused 409,222 cases and 4,738 deaths across 31 countries (Jan–Aug), with major outbreaks in Chad, DRC, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Sudan. In Colombia, yellow fever surged to 131 cases (48 deaths), concentrated in Tolima.
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.
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.