The global epidemic situation in spring 2025 is characterized by a variety of outbreaks of zoonotic and medically relevant infectious diseases.
While some epidemics are regionally limited, others show a worrying scale with global impact. This weekly report summarizes the most important current epidemic outbreaks, highlights epidemiological trends, and provides an overview of official statistics and assessments from international health authorities.
African Swine Fever (ASF) in Europe: Persistently High Dynamics
African Swine Fever continues to be one of the most significant animal diseases in Europe. In January 2025, 62 outbreaks in domestic pigs and 1,338 outbreaks in wild boars were reported across Europe. The number of reported outbreaks has increased again compared to the previous month. Currently, 15 countries in Europe are affected, including Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The majority of outbreaks in wild boars were registered in Poland (388), followed by Germany (228) and Bulgaria (226). In Austria, the risk of further outbreaks remains high, as four of the affected countries border Austria[1].
The spread of ASF is primarily driven by wild boars. The high number of infections in border regions increases the risk of further expansion into Central Europe. The economic consequences for pig farming are considerable, as the disease leads to massive animal losses and trade restrictions.
West Nile Virus (WNV): Increase in Human Infections in Europe
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that from the beginning of the 2024 transmission season until December 4, 2024, a total of 1,436 WNV infections in humans have been reported in 19 EU countries. Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Estonia, and Austria are particularly affected. In Austria, 36 infections were recorded in the regions of Northern Burgenland, Weinviertel, Northern Vienna Woods, Southern Vienna Woods, and Vienna[1].
Transmission occurs through mosquitoes, and the transmission season in Europe runs from June to November. The increase in cases is related to changing climatic conditions that favor the spread of mosquitoes. WNV can cause severe neurological diseases in humans, especially in older and immunocompromised individuals.
Measles: Largest Outbreak in the US in 25 Years
The United States is currently experiencing the largest measles outbreak in a quarter of a century. According to the CDC, 800 cases have been registered nationwide, with the actual number likely higher as many cases are reported with a delay. The epicenter is in Texas with 624 infections since the end of January, and Oklahoma and New Mexico are also affected. Two unvaccinated children have died from complications of measles – the first measles deaths in the US in ten years. Almost all those infected were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown; most are children. Around eleven percent of those affected required hospitalization[3].
The situation highlights the importance of high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease. Measles was considered eliminated in the US, but vaccination gaps and increasing vaccine skepticism are contributing to new outbreaks.
Global epidemic situation: Overview and new risks
In addition to current outbreaks, numerous infectious diseases remain present worldwide. The list of significant epidemics and pandemics of the 21st century includes, among others:
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Officially, by May 2023, approximately 677 million infections and at least 20 million deaths were registered worldwide. The actual numbers are likely significantly higher due to considerable underreporting. The pandemic has shown how quickly new pathogens can spread globally and the societal and economic consequences that result[4].
- Ebola Fever: West Africa (2014–2016) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (2018–2020) experienced severe outbreaks with thousands of deaths. Combating such hemorrhagic fevers remains a challenge, especially in countries with weak healthcare infrastructure[4].
- Cholera: The largest known cholera epidemic to date has been ongoing in Yemen since 2016, with over 1.7 million cases and more than 3,400 deaths. Outbreaks also occur repeatedly in Haiti and other countries[4].
- Dengue Fever and Chikungunya: In tropical and subtropical regions, case numbers are increasing due to climate change and the spread of vector mosquitoes (Aedes species). Sri Lanka reported over 130,000 dengue cases since 2017[4].
- Zika Virus: After the major epidemics in South America in 2015/16, the virus continues to occur in tropical areas and can cause severe complications, especially in pregnant women[4].
Zoonoses and climate change: New challenges for global health
The risk of new pandemics is continuing to rise. The main causes are the destruction of ecosystems, global warming, and increasing globalization. Hamburg virologist Prof. Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit emphasizes the connection between environmental destruction and the emergence of new infectious disease threats. Pathogens that have so far circulated in closed ecosystems are brought into contact with humans and livestock through human intervention. One example is the Usutu virus, which has now also spread in Germany through mosquitoes and can cause meningitis in immunocompromised individuals[2].
Warmer spring and summer months also favor the spread of mosquitoes, which act as vectors for numerous viruses (e.g., West Nile, Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya virus). As a result, these diseases are increasingly reaching regions previously considered too cold.
Global epidemic control measures under pressure
The financing and organization of global epidemic control programs face new challenges. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had to drastically reduce its epidemic preparedness programs in 39 states due to the non-renewal of central funding. This particularly affects countries considered hotspots for emerging infectious diseases, such as China (avian flu), Rwanda, and the Congo (Ebola). The USA has traditionally provided a large part of the infrastructure and expertise for the early detection and containment of epidemics. The withdrawal increases the risk that incipient epidemics may go undetected and spread unhindered[5].
Pandemic preparedness: International initiatives and outlook
In light of the experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing risks of new outbreaks, the G7 countries, together with the World Health Organization and other UN organizations, have initiated the "Pact for Pandemic Readiness." The goal is to strengthen international cooperation, expand surveillance systems, and accelerate vaccine development[2].
The lessons from the past are clear: future epidemics can only be effectively combated through close international cooperation, investments in research and infrastructure, and consistent vaccination programs.
Conclusion: Epidemic situation remains tense – prevention and surveillance are crucial
The current outbreaks of African swine fever, West Nile virus, and measles illustrate that the threat of infectious diseases is by no means over. Zoonoses and vector-borne diseases continue to increase due to climate change and globalization. At the same time, vaccination gaps and a weakening epidemic control infrastructure jeopardize the successes of recent years. The international community faces the task of strengthening prevention, surveillance, and vaccination readiness to effectively counter future outbreaks. Current statistics and developments show: Consistent epidemic control remains one of the central challenges of global health policy[1][2][3][4][5].
Sources:
[1] Animal Disease Radar – January 2025 – AGES https://www.ages.at/tier/tiergesundheit/tierseuchenradar/detail/tierseuchenradar-jaenner-2025
[2] Next Pandemic: Measures by Politics and Industry – Vfa.de https://www.vfa.de/de/forschung-entwicklung/coronavirus/pandemiebereitschaft-abwehr-gegen-die-naechste-pandemie
[3] Measles: Outbreak in the Southern USA is the Largest in 25 Years https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/medizin/masern-ausbruch-im-sueden-der-usa-ist-der-groesste-seit-25-jahren-a-59e09901-9656-473e-b65f-091cef10446a
[4] List of Epidemics and Pandemics – Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_von_Epidemien_und_Pandemien
[5] Other Priorities: USA Significantly Reduces Global Epidemic Control https://www.spektrum.de/news/usa-reduzieren-globalen-seuchenschutz-deutlich/1538303
[6] and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Several Cases in Hungary and Slovakia https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/tiere/tiergesundheit/tierseuchen/mks.html
[7] Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/de/home/tiere/tierseuchen/uebersicht-seuchen/alle-tierseuchen/maul-und-klauenseuche-mks.html
[8] Bluetongue Disease | Friedrich Loeffler Institute https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/blauzungenkrankheit/
[9] Foot-and-Mouth Disease – Friedrich Loeffler Institute https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/maul-und-klauenseuche/
[10] BMEL – Animal Diseases https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/tiere/tiergesundheit/tierseuchen/tierseuchen_node.html
[11] Homepage – Animal Disease Information System https://tsis.fli.de
[12] African Swine Fever | Friedrich Loeffler Institute https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/afrikanische-schweinepest/
[13] Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) – Animal Disease Info Lower Saxony https://tierseucheninfo.niedersachsen.de/startseite/tierseuchen_tierkrankheiten/schwein/maul_und_klauenseuche/maul_und_klauenseuche/maul-und-klauenseuche-mks-21655.html
[14] News Brief: WHO Member States Agree on Pandemic Treaty – DW https://www.dw.com/de/news-kompakt-who-staaten-einigen-sich-auf-pandemievertrag/a-72257405
[15] Current Animal Diseases – Gießen District https://www.lkgi.de/aktuelle-tierkrankheiten/
[16] US Health Authorities Register Almost 900 Measles Infections https://www.zeit.de/gesundheit/2025-04/usa-masernausbruch-900-faelle-texas-kinder-tot
[17] Epidemiology – HZI https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/wissen/wissensportal/epidemiologie/
[18] Epidemics: Latest News & Information on Pandemics & Epidemics – WELT https://www.welt.de/themen/seuchen/
[19] Health: Epidemics & Diseases. Aktion Deutschland Hilft https://www.aktion-deutschland-hilft.de/de/fachthemen/gesundheit/seuchen/
[20] SPARS Pandemic 2025–2028 – Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPARS_Pandemic_2025%E2%80%932028
