Measles Europe: the latest ECDC-report, dated March 10, 2025, indicates a significant resurgence in measles cases, with 32,265 reported between February 2024 and January 2025. Romania accounted for the majority of these cases (27,568), followed by Italy (1,097), Germany (637), Belgium (551), and Austria (542). During this period, Romania reported 18 measles-related deaths, and Ireland reported one. The report highlights that 86% of those diagnosed with measles were unvaccinated, underscoring the critical need to address vaccination gaps. Despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines, many EU/EEA countries have not achieved the 95% vaccination coverage necessary to prevent outbreaks. Only Hungary, Malta, Portugal, and Slovakia reported such coverage for both doses of the MMR vaccine in 2023.
Mpox, WHO-update: In the African region, as of June 2025, a total of 40.456 laboratory confirmed cases, including 150 deaths, have been reported to WHO. In the past twelve months, 26 countries have reported 32,906 confirmed cases, including 120 deaths. The three countries with the majority of the cases are Democratic Republic of the Congo, (n = 17,824), Uganda, (n = 6.479), and Burundi, (n = 3,960), with continuing spread to eastern and west Africa. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo a significant number of suspected mpox cases, that are clinically compatible with mpox remain untested due to limited diagnostic capacity and thus never get confirmed. Moreover, not all countries have robust surveillance systems for mpox, meaning reported case counts are likely underestimating the extent of community transmission.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Spain: Following up on the report from last week, Spain reported its first confirmed Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) case in Castile and León. The patient, bitten by a tick in Salamanca province on May 25, developed symptoms shortly after and tested positive by PCR. The patient was hospitalized and transferred to a specialized isolation unit, currently in serious but stable condition. Authorities responded swiftly, collecting Hyalomma marginatum ticks near the patient’s home and raising public awareness. Between 2016 and 2024, Spain reported 16 autochthonous CCHF cases, mostly between April and August, with Salamanca identified as a hotspot. This area shows a high seroprevalence of CCHF virus in local animals, making such cases expected. While risk to the general population is low, those exposed to ticks through activities like hunting or forestry face higher risk. ECDC recommends personal protective measures against tick bites. Hyalomma marginatum is the main vector, common in southern and eastern Europe. ECDC continues monitoring CCHF in the EU/EEA and urges timely case reporting for effective surveillance.
Dengue and chikungunya, ECDC-update: (weekly communicable disease threats report). Since early 2025, about 220,000 chikungunya virus disease cases and 80 related deaths have been reported across 14 countries and territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The Americas report the highest numbers, led by Brazil with over 141,000 cases. Asia has recorded over 33,000 cases mainly in India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, while Africa reports cases in Senegal. No autochthonous cases have been reported in mainland Europe, but outbreaks continue in the French outermost regions of Réunion (over 51,000 cases) and Mayotte (560 cases), with Mayotte recently entering an intense epidemic phase.
Dengue cases have exceeded three million worldwide in 2025, with over 1,400 deaths across 90 countries in the Americas, South-East Asia, the Western Pacific, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Africa. Mainland Europe reports no local cases, though the outermost EU regions such as Madeira, Guadeloupe, and Martinique have reported varying dengue activity levels, from sporadic to confirmed epidemics. The dominant dengue serotypes vary by region, with DENV-3 prevalent in Guadeloupe and DENV-2 in French Guiana.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlights the risk of virus importation into Europe by travelers, especially into areas with established mosquito vectors Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti. With favorable environmental conditions emerging, the risk of local chikungunya and dengue transmission in Europe is rising, particularly between June and November, when previous outbreaks occurred. Vigilance and preparedness remain critical to preventing autochthonous spread.
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.
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.