The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released its latest weekly Communicable Disease Threats Report covering the period from 7 to 13 March 2026. The report provides an overview of infectious disease developments across Europe and globally, highlighting several issues currently under close monitoring by public health authorities.
Among the most significant concerns are travel-related chikungunya infections linked to the Seychelles, the ongoing global mpox outbreak, and a renewed increase in measles cases across Europe.
Travel-Related Chikungunya Cases Rising
Health authorities have reported a notable increase in chikungunya infections among travellers returning to Europe from the Seychelles since late 2025. According to the ECDC, more than 110 travel-associated cases have been reported across 13 EU and EEA countries.
Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that typically causes high fever, joint pain, headaches, muscle pain and skin rashes. While rarely fatal, the illness can lead to prolonged joint pain lasting weeks or even months.
The ECDC currently assesses the risk of infection for travellers visiting the Seychelles as high and recommends enhanced mosquito bite prevention measures. In some cases, vaccination may also be considered depending on national travel health guidelines.
Despite the surge in imported cases, the risk of sustained transmission in mainland Europe is currently considered low because seasonal conditions are not favourable for the mosquitoes responsible for spreading the virus.
Olympic Health Monitoring Shows Low Risk
The report also includes monitoring of public health risks during the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026.
As of 12 March, no major infectious disease incidents linked to the events have been detected. While small clusters of gastrointestinal illness and influenza-like symptoms were reported among athletes in the Olympic Village earlier during the Games, no broader transmission among spectators or the general public has been observed.
The ECDC considers the overall risk of communicable disease transmission during the Games to be low, provided standard preventive measures are followed. These include maintaining good hygiene practices, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, and avoiding attendance at crowded events when experiencing symptoms of illness.
Respiratory Virus Activity Declining
Data collected across EU and EEA countries show that respiratory virus activity has been declining in recent weeks.
Influenza circulation continues to decrease, with hospitalisations also falling. However, older adults aged 65 and above still account for the majority of hospital admissions related to flu. The dominant influenza subtype currently circulating is A(H3), followed by A(H1)pdm09.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), however, remains active. Hospitalisations related to RSV are still elevated, particularly among children under five years of age.
Meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2 activity remains low across all age groups, with relatively few hospital admissions reported.
Mpox Continues to Circulate Globally
The ECDC report also provides an update on mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, which continues to circulate globally in two main viral clades: clade I and clade II.
Most clade I cases continue to be reported in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Burundi. However, sporadic cases have also been detected in several countries outside Africa, including individuals without travel history to endemic regions. This suggests broader international transmission.
In the European Union and EEA, 230 mpox cases have been reported across 14 countries between 1 February and 12 March 2026. The highest numbers were recorded in Spain, Germany, France and Italy.
Epidemiological data indicate that transmission in Europe is largely occurring within specific sexual networks, particularly among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The ECDC currently assesses the risk of infection as moderate for these groups and low for the general population.
Public health authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination, early detection, testing and contact tracing to control further spread.
Measles Cases Increasing Across Europe
Another concern highlighted in the report is the resurgence of measles in several European countries.
In January 2026 alone, 173 measles cases were reported across 12 EU and EEA countries. Italy, Spain, France, Romania and Belgium reported the highest numbers.
Over the past 12 months, more than 6,000 measles cases have been recorded in Europe, with six deaths attributed to the disease in France, Romania and the Netherlands.
The majority of infections occurred among individuals who were not vaccinated. Among cases with known vaccination status, nearly 78 percent involved people who had not received a measles-containing vaccine.
Children under five years of age remain the most affected group, although infections have also been reported among adolescents and adults.
Health authorities warn that gaps in vaccination coverage continue to create conditions for outbreaks. The ECDC is urging countries to strengthen immunisation programmes and ensure vaccination coverage exceeds the 95 percent threshold required to prevent sustained transmission.
Continued Vigilance Required
Although some respiratory infections are declining, the ECDC stresses that Europe continues to face multiple infectious disease risks. Imported illnesses, evolving outbreaks and vaccination gaps mean that health authorities must remain vigilant.
For the public, the key recommendations remain straightforward: ensure vaccinations are up to date, follow travel health advice, and seek medical guidance if symptoms develop after international travel.
While the current situation does not indicate a major new public health emergency, ongoing monitoring and preventive measures remain essential to limit the spread of infectious diseases across the region.
