Ebola virus. D.R. Congo. The last Ebola patient has been discharged in Bulape, marking the start of a 42-day countdown to officially end the outbreak. Since the outbreak began on 4 September 2025, 64 cases (53 confirmed, 11 probable) were reported, with 19 recoveries and no new cases since 25 September. WHO continues monitoring to ensure the outbreak ends by early December 2025.
Mpox, clade 1b, local transmission, The Netherlands. On 17 October 2025, a first case of locally transmitted case of Mpox clade Ib was confirmed at Amsterdam UMC. The male patient contracted the infection through homosexual contact and had no recent travel history outside the country. Clade Ib, typically endemic to Central Africa, is considered more infectious and virulent than clade II. Until recently, clade Ib Mpox infections diagnosed outside Africa could be linked to contacts in the endemic African region. Its detection in Amsterdam follows similar locally acquired cases in Madrid and California, raising concerns of wider, previously undetected sexual transmission networks. Public health authorities have launched epidemiological investigations to trace contacts and assess transmission risks.
Japanese encephalitis (JE), Nepal. 133 cases of JE cases and 31 deaths have been reported since summer 2025—the country’s highest in years. The surge is linked to heavy monsoon rains increasing mosquito activity and immunization gaps. JE, a mosquito-borne viral disease prevalent in Asia, can be fatal or cause lasting brain damage in survivors.
Severe fever with trombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), Thailand. Two fatal cases of SFTS were reported in Thailand, related to close contact with dogs. SFTS virus was detected in 16 dog tick samples from their homes. This tick-borne viral disease has a mortality up to 30%. Warmer, wetter conditions may increase tick activity and future transmission risks.
Rift valley fever, Senegal and Mautitania. The outbreak continues to grow, with 245 cases and 21 deaths in Senegal, and 29 cases and 12 deaths in Mauritania. The outbreak, which began in September, coincides with heavy rains and increased mosquito activity. Twenty-six animal outbreaks have also been reported, mainly in cattle, sheep, and goats.
Ebola in D.R. Congo: The last patient was discharged in Bulape, beginning a 42-day countdown to end the outbreak (64 total cases, 19 recoveries, none since 25 Sept).
Mpox in the Netherlands: First local Clade Ib case confirmed in Amsterdam, raising concern over wider sexual transmission networks.
Japanese Encephalitis in Nepal: 133 cases and 31 deaths, driven by heavy rains and vaccination gaps.
SFTS in Thailand: Two fatal tick-borne cases linked to dog ticks detected with virus presence.
Rift Valley Fever in Senegal and Mauritania: 274 total cases, 33 deaths; outbreaks expanding amid heavy rains and animal infections.
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.