Ebola virus disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has now passed 10,000 confirmed cases and 4,992 deaths, with exported cases in Kenya (nine cases, two deaths) and Nigeria (one case, medically evacuated to Switzerland). In Europe, Czechia is experiencing an unprecedented surge in Lyme borreliosis, recording 12,711 cases by late October. Meanwhile, Peru has reported 13,962 leptospirosis cases and 50 deaths, exacerbated by El Niño-related flooding. In Venezuela, yellow fever has prompted mandatory vaccination for travellers to four states. In Australia, the geographic range of Buruli ulcer has expanded, with 294 cases notified this year. Other notable events include a nationwide increase in rabies exposures and six human deaths in the United States, and 1,488 cholera cases with 29 deaths across six provinces in Zambia.
Ebola virus disease, Africa
As of 29 October 2026, the DRC has reported 10,274 confirmed cases and 4,992 deaths, with community transmission ongoing across eight affected provinces. Kenya’s cluster now stands at nine confirmed cases and two deaths, all linked to the first imported case; the most recent infection was notified on 20 October and the second death on 23 October. Nigeria’s case, confirmed on 20 October in a traveller returning from Uganda, has since been medically evacuated to Switzerland, with 62 contacts under follow-up.
Lyme disease, Czechia
Czechia is experiencing an unprecedented surge in Lyme borreliosis, reporting 12,711 cases by late October 2026. In the first seven months alone, over 8,100 cases were recorded, representing more than 2.6 times the previous annual record for that period. This increase is likely driven by genuine epidemiological escalation, climate-driven tick range expansion, prolonged autumn tick activity, and improved surveillance ascertainment.
Leptospirosis, Peru
Peru has recorded 13,962 cases of leptospirosis and 50 deaths amid an El Niño-related increase in precipitation. The outbreak prompted a national State of Emergency earlier in the year, with the Piura Region reporting a 242% increase in cases compared to 2025. Additional clusters have affected the Tumbes Region, exacerbated by flooding and sanitation challenges.
Yellow fever, Venezuela
14 confirmed cases and six deaths across six states so far in 2026, a case fatality rate of 42.9%, with a cumulative count of 36 confirmed cases since June 2025. Human cases, together with epizootic events in non-human primates point to ongoing sylvatic circulation and have prompted the Ministry of Health to make vaccination mandatory from 31 October for travellers to Barinas, Aragua, Lara and Portuguesa and to evaluate a national mass vaccination campaign.
Buruli ulcer, Australia
As of 1 November 2026, the geographic range of Buruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, has expanded in Australia. A total of 294 cases have been notified year to date. The disease is reported in at least 33 countries across tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates globally.
DRC passes 10,000 cases and 4,992 deaths; update on the imported cases in Kenya and Nigeria.
1,621 cases in 2026, with California accounting for 452 (387 neuroinvasive infections and 29 deaths)
Waterborne gastroenteritis outbreak with 2600 cases involving Cryptosporidium and E. coli
1,929 cases and 8 deaths in 24 hours; 136,929 so far this year.
1,488 cases and 29 deaths across six provinces, with most in Lusaka.
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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