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With the Ebola disease situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) still critical, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is deploying experts to DRC to increase support at the epicentre of the outbreak.

Since May 2026, an Ebola virus disease outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus has been ongoing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In July and August, two fellows from ECDC’s long-standing European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) were deployed to South Sudan through the EU Health Task Force (EUHTF) and WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), to support the country’s Ebola preparedness and strengthen surveillance. 

Summary Since the beginning of 2026, and as of 31 August 2026, two MERS cases, including one fatality, have been reported in Saudi Arabia.

Europe needs to improve its preparedness and control efforts as the risk of mosquito-borne diseases increases, with West Nile virus (WNV) continuing to spread to new regions and invasive mosquito species becoming established in more parts of Europe.

On 6 August 2026, French public health authorities reported an imported case of Andes hantavirus infection in a traveller from Argentina. 

This report presents data on mpox cases reported to the European Surveillance System (EpiPulse Cases). EU/EEA countries report case based data to ECDC on diagnosed mpox cases. For case numbers by countries, Western Balkans and Türkiye are included.

Every month ECDC provides detailed epidemiological overview of the worldwide transmission of chikungunya virus disease in its weekly threat report (Communicable Diseases Threat Report).

The risk of catching some infectious diseases is growing amidst longer, warmer summers across Europe, making close cooperation across borders and sectors vital to predict, prevent, and respond effectively, ECDC said today.

World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the risk of contracting hepatitis and the health threats it can bring, while at the same time recognising the progress Europe has made to strengthen prevention.

While Europe has made steady progress in preventing hepatitis B and C the region is set to miss the 2030 target to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today launched a new report assessing progress in implementing the Global Health Sector Strategies (GHSS) on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for 2022–2030. Released during the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026) and ahead of World Hepatitis Day (28 July), the report highlights significant achievements and persistent challenges in the global response to these epidemics.

Ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July, the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a new technical package to help governments and communities implement seven proven measures to reduce drowning deaths.

Global hunger declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, demonstrating that progress is possible. However, the improvements remain fragile, unevenly distributed and insufficient to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, according to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2026 (SOFI 2026) report, released on Tuesday by five United Nations specialized agencies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today marks the 25th anniversary of Research4Life, a public-private partnership that provides researchers, educators, health professionals and policy-makers in low- and middle-income countries with affordable or free access to scientific knowledge. The partnership has helped dramatically expand access to scientific knowledge for researchers, educators, health professionals and policy-makers in more than 120 countries.

Today ECDC published new guidance on respiratory virus surveillance for the EU/EEA.

Despite the addition of more than one billion motor-vehicles to the world’s roads, road traffic deaths declined by 21% between 2011 and 2025, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The world has experienced profound changes in road traffic during this time with the emergence of new modes of transport and a sharp rise in motorcycle use. Despite this progress, however, road traffic crashes still claimed 1.16 million people's lives in 2025. Road traffic injuries remain the leading cause of death among children and youth aged 5–29 years.

The new WHO data comes as global leaders today adopt a new United Nations (UN) General Assembly progress declaration on road safety. The declaration aims to boost global action to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of a 50% reduction in road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 compared with the levels in 2021.

“This progress shows that change is possible when countries invest in safe road systems. In the last 15 years we’ve made real progress in reducing road deaths, despite surging vehicle numbers and major shifts in how people move,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “I commend countries for the strong political declaration they are adopting today, which aims to accelerate action to ensure more roads are designed for people first, not motor vehicles, with safety as priority. All road deaths are preventable and none are acceptable.”

The new UN declaration includes a comprehensive set of commitments by UN Member States to implement national road safety strategies with clear targets, timelines and budgets. These commitments include establishing lead road safety agencies, improving data collection and analysis, developing and enforcing stronger legislation, and ensuring that roads, infrastructure and vehicles meet key safety standards.

The declaration commits countries to implementing the proven ‘safe system’ approach, which recognizes that people will always make mistakes on the road. The approach promotes safer roads, infrastructure, vehicles, speed limits and regulations that account for human error and ensure that crash impacts remain within survivable levels. It also calls on governments to provide leadership and take additional action, and urges the private sector to prioritize road safety throughout their supply chains. The declaration also highlights the important roles of civil society, academia, youth, philanthropic organizations and the UN in driving progress.

Safer roads for a safer future

With nearly 60% of the world’s population now living in urban areas, growing demand for mobility threatens to overwhelm transport systems that were largely designed around private motor vehicles.

With the rise of ride-hailing and delivery apps, the number of motorcycles more than tripled between 2011 and 2025. Deaths among motorcyclists now account for nearly a third of the world’s road fatalities. Wearing a safe motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of death in a crash by more than six times.

New forms of mobility, including e-scooters, e-bikes and autonomous vehicles, present both challenges and opportunities for transport planners and policy-makers. WHO is working to close gaps in laws and rules, promote consistent safety standards and is bringing together leading experts to find new ways to ensure all new vehicles and technologies are safe.

“More than half of all road deaths are people who aren't even in a car – they are walking, cycling or riding a motorcycle. When roads are designed as if only car drivers matter, these people are left dangerously exposed,” said Dr Etienne Krug Director of the Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention at WHO. “We know what works –  strong laws and enforcement, safe infrastructure and vehicles with particular attention to lowering speed and addressing impaired driving. This declaration means we must all go further and faster.”

Across the world, 10 countries reduced road deaths by 50% in the decade to 2021 and more than half of all countries reported falling fatalities in that period. Yet progress is uneven, with 36% drop in deaths in the WHO European Region, a 15% drop in the Western Pacific Region, a 2% drop in the WHO South-East Asian Region, no change in rates in the Americas and a 17% rise in deaths in the WHO African Region.  

The new UN declaration states that strengthening road safety is key to improving public health and sustainable development overall. More people choosing to walk, cycle and use public transport can reduce congestion, improving air quality, create more livable cities, and support healthier, longer lives.

WHO Member States have advanced negotiations on the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) annex, a central component of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, while agreeing that continued discussions are needed to finalize a framework that supports a faster, more effective and equitable response to future pandemics.

An increasing number of European countries have detected gonococcal strains resistant to the antibiotic ceftriaxone, the first-line drug to treat gonorrhoea infection.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today released updated guidelines on reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, providing countries with evidence-based recommendations to help prevent or delay the onset of dementia across the life course.

Dementia is a condition caused by brain diseases and affects memory, thinking and the ability to function. More than 57 million people live with dementia worldwide and nearly 10 million people get newly diagnosed every year. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and is estimated to account for 60–70% of cases.

While there is no cure for dementia, up to 45% of the risks can be attributed to modifiable risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol use, social isolation, physical inactivity, air pollution and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure and diabetes. Beyond health, dementia affects a person’s independence, dignity and safety.

"We know more today than ever before about what drives dementia risk, and these guidelines translate that knowledge into action," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "Countries now have clear, evidence-based recommendations they can put into practice immediately to protect people's cognitive health."

WHO’s new guidelines reflect the latest evidence and innovations in dementia risk reduction providing proven interventions that can effectively lower dementia risk through early awareness and timely action. They represent an important opportunity to reduce the burden of dementia in the coming decades through stronger integration of services for noncommunicable diseases, mental health and brain health.

Reducing risk, preventing illness

The updated guidelines reflect significant growth in the evidence base since WHO first issued recommendations on dementia risk reduction in 2019. They provide consolidated recommendations on addressing unhealthy behaviours, managing medical conditions, and reducing exposure to environmental factors that may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.

The guidelines recommend several healthy behaviours and lifestyle interventions to reduce dementia risk, including cognitive training and cognitive stimulation and engagement in social activities for adults who have normal cognition or are experiencing mild cognitive impairment.

The updated advice also includes interventions that reduce risk of NCDs, including increasing physical activity, stopping tobacco use, reducing alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet, and a new recommendation to reduce exposure to air pollution.

Management of cardiometabolic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also help reduce dementia risk. Further, hearing aids may be offered as part of risk-reduction strategies.

As an intervention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and/or dementia, the guidelines do not recommend supplementation with vitamins B and E, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and multivitamins/minerals in the absence of a diagnosed deficiency, due to the lack of evidence of any potential benefits to outweigh unexpected harmful effects. 

Human and economic cost

Dementia affects an individual’s ability to live independently, work and function, while placing substantial burdens on families and carers. It carries a major economic loss, costing the global economy an estimated US$ 1.3 trillion annually. About half of this cost is driven by unpaid care provided by families and friends. Understanding risk factors and taking action to prevent dementia can improve health and quality of life, helping people live longer, healthier and more independent lives.