Ebola virus in D.R. Congo: The outbreak in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province is slowing, with a cumulative total of 64 cases and 42 deaths (66%). Since September 30, no new cases have been reported
Chikungunya, WHO global update: In 2025, 445,271 suspected cases and 155 deaths were reported across 40 countries. The Americas accounted for the majority, with Brazil alone reporting 96,159 cases and 111 deaths. Major outbreaks also occurred in La Réunion (54,517 cases, 40 deaths), Mayotte, Italy, France, China (16,452 cases in Guangdong), India, Bangladesh, and Mauritius. Transmission was also detected in Kenya, Somalia, Pakistan, and several Southeast Asian nations.
Argentine hemorrhagic fever, 2025: As of 13 September 2025, a total of 373 suspected and 49 confirmed cases of Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, including three deaths, have been reported in Argentina. Confirmed cases have been reported in Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santa Fe.
Rift Valley fever, Senegal and Mauritania: The outbreak in Senegal is expanding, with 78 confirmed cases, including 11 deaths. Neighboring Mauritania has reported six human cases, including three deaths
Scrub typhus, Nepal: In recent weeks, Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital has reported a surge in scrub typhus cases among Kathmandu residents, signaling a major outbreak in the city. Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and transmitted by chigger mite bites, is linked to rodents, which are abundant in Kathmandu households.
The Ebola outbreak in Bulape Health Zone, Kasai Province, D.R. Congo, is slowing, with 64 cases and 42 deaths (66%) and no new cases since September 30. Globally, WHO reported 445,271 chikungunya cases and 155 deaths across 40 countries in 2025, with major outbreaks in Brazil, La Réunion, China, India, and others. Argentina recorded 49 confirmed Argentine hemorrhagic fever cases with three deaths. Rift Valley fever is expanding in Senegal (78 cases, 11 deaths) and Mauritania (6 cases, 3 deaths). In Nepal, Kathmandu is facing a major scrub typhus outbreak linked to rodent infestations and chigger mite transmission.
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.