Nipah virus disease - India: Since the detection of two laboratory-confirmed cases of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in West Bengal State on 13 January 2026 (both healthcare workers), no further cases have been detected to date. Authorities identified and tested over 190 contacts; all tested negative.
Cholera - global: Since 1 January 2026 1,203 new cholera cases, including seven deaths, have been reported in six countries: Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, and Zambia. In Mozambique, severe flooding has driven a rapid surge in cases, with reports indicating a near doubling over the past month.
Chikungunya - global: Regional transmission is intensifying across the Caribbean basin. Suriname's outbreak has expanded to 134 cases with one death and French Guiana reports its first autochthonous case since the 2014-2015 outbreak. In South America, Brazil reports more than 600 cases in Mato Grosso do Sul. Increased chikungunya cases are also reported among travelers returning from Seychelles.
Measles - Europe: Six countries have lost their measles elimination status due to sustained endemic transmission: UK, Spain, Austria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan. In 2024, only four EU/EEA countries achieved the ≥95% threshold for the second measles dose. Targeted catch-up vaccination campaigns are needed to close immunity gaps.
Melioidosis: Australia reports a surge in melioidosis cases during the current wet season, with 41 cases recorded as of late January 2026. The increase is linked to heavy rainfall and recent cyclones, which have heightened environmental exposure.
India reports no new Nipah virus cases since the initial detection of two healthcare workers on 13 January; all 196 contacts tested negative. Six African countries report 1,203 cholera cases and seven deaths since 1 January, with Mozambique experiencing a surge linked to severe flooding. Chikungunya transmission is intensifying across the Caribbean basin, with 134 cases in Suriname and 600 in Brazil. Six European countries have lost measles elimination status due to sustained endemic transmission. Australia reports 41 melioidosis cases linked to heavy rainfall and recent cyclones.
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.
Nipah virus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus that can be transmitted to humans through fruit bats, contaminated food, or close human-to-human contact, and is associated with severe encephalitis and high case-fatality rates. In January 2026, Nipah virus disease was reported in eastern India, with two confirmed cases identified among healthcare workers at a single hospital in West Bengal. This represents the seventh documented outbreak in India and the third reported in the state. According to an official update issued on 27 January 2026 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, both cases were laboratory confirmed at the National Institute for Virology. A total of 196 contacts were identified, traced, monitored, and tested; all remain asymptomatic and have tested negative, with no additional cases detected to date, indicating no evidence of community transmission. Prompt and comprehensive public health measures, including enhanced surveillance, laboratory testing, and coordinated field investigations, have been implemented by national and state authorities, and the situation remains under close monitoring. While importation into Europe via infected travellers cannot be entirely excluded, the absence of Pteropus fruit bats in Europe limits the risk of onward transmission. No additional measures beyond monitoring, information sharing, and traveller advisories are expected at this stage.
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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