ECDC - News

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) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On 15 May, the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province. Preliminary laboratory results indicate a non-Zaire ebolavirus species, with further analysis ongoing.

A major European survey marks a significant milestone in the effort to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR), providing the most comprehensive genomic picture to date of carbapenem- and/or colistin-resistant Enterobacterales (CCRE) across hospitals in Europe.

Every month ECDC provides detailed epidemiological overview of the worldwide transmission of mpox in its weekly threat report.

On 10 May, the cruise ship MV Hondius arrived at the port of Granadilla, Tenerife, Canary Islands. Passengers and crew continue to disembark and to be medically evacuated to their countries of origin. At disembarkation, they are all considered high-risk and repatriated, whether symptomatic or not, through non-commercial flights. 

The guidance published today by ECDC provides advice for public health professionals in the EU/EEA managing individuals potentially exposed to Andes hantavirus from the M/V Hondius, and for healthcare professionals and transport personnel involved in the disembarkation, transfer, and care of passengers and crew.

Despite advancements in detection and treatment, a new report reveals severe shortfalls in reaching the indicators for the Sustainable Development Goal target for HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by 2030. More action remains necessary to prevent thousands of annual deaths and slow the rising number of STI diagnoses across Europe.

ECDC has deployed an expert from the EU Health Task Force to the cruise ship affected by the Andes hantavirus outbreak, as part of a joint effort to investigate the outbreak and coordinate the public health response together with relevant Member States.

ECDC is launching episomer, a customisable tool designed to support epidemic intelligence activities through the monitoring of social media data.

Hantavirus infection has been laboratory-confirmed in two individuals in connection with the cluster of illness reported on a cruise ship.

Hantavirus infection has been laboratory-confirmed in two individuals in connection with the cluster of illness reported on a cruise ship.

ECDC, through the EU Health Task Force, supported a two-day after-action review in Slovakia to analyse response efforts to a large multi-country outbreak of hepatitis A virus and to strengthen preparedness for future events.

Marking WHHD, ECDC is publishing proposed guidance for IPC programmes in healthcare facilities and introducing hyFive, a digital tool to support hand hygiene monitoring and data-driven implementation.

A cluster of severe acute respiratory illness, including three deaths and one severely ill individual, has been reported among passengers on a cruise ship travelling in the Atlantic and registered in the Netherlands. The ship is currently located off the coast of Cabo Verde, with 149 people on board.

ECDC is aware of suspected cases of hantavirus infection, including three deaths, associated with a cruise ship travelling in the Atlantic.

The new monthly surveillance report from the European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) provides updated data on mpox in Europe and shows that clade I transmission is still ongoing in several EU/EEA countries.

ECDC presented its new open-source event-based surveillance platform, Epi+, at Luxembourg’s PHRESH General Assembly, highlighting how the tool will strengthen national coordination, data sharing and early detection of health threats.

On 27-28 April 2026, ECDC hosted the second meeting of the European Union Reference Laboratories for Public Health (EURL-PH) network in Stockholm.

After 15 years of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programmes across Europe, growing evidence confirms their long-term effectiveness. A new report from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on HPV vaccination programmes in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) highlights steady progress in cancer prevention efforts across the EU/EEA.

European Immunization Week (EIW) is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about the vital role immunisation plays to prevent diseases and protect life. This year’s EIW runs from 19-25 April.