C.D.C. (Europe)

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is expanding its presence on the ground to support areas affected by the current Ebola outbreak, sending additional experts this week to increase assistance and risk assessment activities as the disease continues to impact lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

Several clusters of genetically and epidemiologically linked cases predominantly affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men have been detected in four EU countries during the past six months. Cases have also been reported in Norway among individuals practicing martial arts, in 2025 and 2026.

ECDC has published its annual activity report for 2025, bringing scientific expertise and risk management together with strengthened cooperation and outreach.

The overall risk of Bundibugyo virus transmission through substances of human origin (SoHO) in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) is currently assessed as very low.

ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have today published updated their maps displaying current new knowledge on the spatial distribution of mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies and biting midges across Europe.

The ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda reported in May 2026 has prompted ECDC to review its operational guidance relevant to air travel. In this context, updated guidance is needed to support preparedness and public health action if a case is identified during or after a flight.

On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

With so many public health events developing and emerging, it is increasingly important to strengthen public health intelligence to ensure timely detection, assessment and response to potential public health threats.

As the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda develops rapidly, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is ratcheting up its support on the ground, while continuing to emphasise that the risk of infection to the general population in Europe remains very low.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) hosted the annual meeting of the European Respiratory Viruses Network (ERVI-Net) in Vienna, Austria, on 20–22 May 2026, which brought together nearly 80 representatives from EU/EEA and accession countries.

As rising global interconnection increases public health risks worldwide, ECDC, building on the success of its previous programme through European Health Task Force (EUHTF), will once again host the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Outbreak Response Scenario Programme in Stockholm, Sweden, on 24-29 May.

The risk to the general population in Europe from the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and also Uganda remains very low, ECDC said in a new assessment today, while stressing that EU/EEA countries should strengthen their preparedness as the situation continues to develop.

On 15 May 2026, Africa CDC reported an outbreak of Ebola disease in Ituri Province, DRC. Laboratory analysis at Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale of DRC identified Bundibugyo virus (BDBV). BDBV disease is a rare disease but can cause outbreaks with high case fatality rates. Considering the available information, complicated context and the uncertainties on the epidemiological information WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026. Africa CDC declared a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on 18 May 2026.

ECDC was notified on 2 May 2026 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries. The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.

On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

New data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that sexually transmitted infections reached record levels across Europe in 2024, driven by sharp rises in gonorrhoea and syphilis, and widening gaps in testing and prevention. Targeted action is urgently needed to prevent further spread, including among women of reproductive age.