Summary
The flu epidemic is in full swing, ECDC speaks of an intensive season. RSV cases are on the rise, but at a slightly lower level compared to the previous year. SARS-CoV-2 activity is at a very low level.
In 2025, 52 measles cases have been reported so far. Of the 40 affected persons for whom information on vaccination status is available, none were vaccinated.
The number of cases of pertussis was very high last year, with 15,465 infections reported. This year there are 486 as of 13/02/2025.
The USA withdraws from the WHO. In the topic of the month, we show what the WHO's mission is, how much or little power it has and what role it plays in people's health worldwide. You can also find examples of this in the news.
In Europe, an outbreak of shigellosis linked to long-distance travel is currently being investigated. Uganda is working to bring the outbreak of the Sudan Ebola virus under control.
In this issue, we are publishing a table with an overview of notifiable diseases for the first time. Our aim is to provide detailed monthly information on the status of notifiable infectious diseases in Austria.
We have officially been in a flu epidemic since the end of December. In the medical practices selected for surveillance (sentinel), 144 samples tested positive for influenza in calendar week 7 (CW 7). Flu activity is at a high level throughout Austria, with 40.6% of the samples tested positive for influenza. This is below the European average (48%). The European average is above the peaks of recent seasons. The development of the data currently indicates that the peak of this season may already have been reached. In the wastewater data for the city of Vienna, the influenza viral load appears to have already peaked.
According to the SARI dashboard, the number of inpatient hospital admissions with influenza has risen sharply in recent weeks. In the 2023/24 season, the flu epidemic peaked in calendar weeks 5/6 with 670 hospital admissions. In the current season, 649 admissions were registered in week 6 (as of 16 February 2025), with late registrations still to be expected. Whether the peak has already been reached according to the SARI dashboard cannot yet be conclusively assessed. There are indications that there were more serious cases among young age groups this year than last year, especially among 5 to 14-year-olds. Incidences are also likely to be higher among 15 to 44-year-olds. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also reports similar trends. For older people, the situation is more comparable to last year. A final assessment can only be made after the season.
AGES influenza surveillance estimates the incidence of influenza-like illnesses in Austria at 2,376/100,000 inhabitants at the beginning of February, which is comparable to previous years. Influenza activity is also at a high level in the rest of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA), with the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) referring to an "intense influenza season"(ERVISS).
As part of the public influenza vaccination programme, everyone living in Austria can be vaccinated against influenza free of charge for the first time this season. Vaccination is possible at participating surgeries and public vaccination centres. More information can be found at: Influenza | Vaccination simply protects and Influenza vaccination 2024/2025: Vaccination centres.
Timely influenza vaccination remains the best preventive measure to reduce the risk of influenza. Vaccination still makes sense now.
Influenza | Vaccination simply protects
The SARS-CoV-2 viral load in Austrian wastewater monitoring is at a very low level. COVID-19-related admissions to Austrian hospitals are also as low as they were in July 2024. The picture is similar in the other EU/EEA countries.
Information on vaccination programmes in the individual federal states can be found under COVID-19 | Vaccination.
24 RSV infections were detected in the sentinel samples in week 7, six more than in the previous week. Inpatient hospital admissions due to RSV have also increased in recent weeks.
In the EU/EEA, RSV activity has fallen slightly in recent weeks, as some member states have already passed their peak, while others are registering an increase. In Austria, the positivity rate is increasing and currently stands at 6.7%, compared to 3.6% a fortnight ago. Compared to the 2023/2024 season, the current season has so far been more subdued; at the same time last year, the positivity rate was 17%, more than twice as high.
Most of the people hospitalised with RSV are children under the age of 5. This year, there is a significantly lower incidence of severe RSV cases in children and across all age groups.
An illness triggered by RSV can progress in very different ways. In infants, young children and older people in particular, the disease can lead to severe infections of the lower respiratory tract and even to lung failure with a fatal outcome.
Last season, the viral load in Austria peaked at the beginning of February 2024.
Immunisation against RSV is strongly recommended for risk groups. The following options are available:
- Newborns currently have the option of passive immunisation with the RSV prophylaxis Beyfortus. Beyfortus is available in the free paediatric vaccination programme. It is generally recommended up to the age of one or during the first RSV season and protects against a severe course of the disease. It is also recommended for certain children at risk in the 2nd year of life.
- Vaccination of pregnant women for passive protection of newborns is also possible and recommended if the due date is between October and March.
- RSV vaccination is generally recommended forpeople over the age of 60 and people at risk. Corresponding vaccines have been available since 2023.
- Current information on immunisation against RSV can be found at https://impfen.gv.at/impfungen/rsv
A new AGES video deals with infectious diseases, how infection works and the best protective measures: Infectious diseases - infection & protective measures
In 2024, there were 542 cases of measles in Austria. As of 19 February 2025, 52 cases have been reported for the current year, and 9 more cases have been added since the report in the last Radar on 30 January 2025. All 40 cases for which information on vaccination status is available to date were unvaccinated. 14 people have had to be hospitalised for measles this year, one of them in intensive care.
There are also current international reports that measles can cause widespread outbreaks in communities with low immunisation rates. In Chad, numerous schools have been closed due to an outbreak affecting around 50 people and thousands of pupils have had to stay at home. Measles was defeated in large parts of North America, with only isolated imported cases. Due to low vaccination rates in some places, there is now an increased likelihood that these imported cases will lead to more outbreaks locally, with examples of this currently occurring in Canada and some states in the USA.
The number of pertussis cases in Austria and many European countries rose massively in 2024. We presented details in the AGES Radar from 28 March 2024.
A total of 2,791 cases were reported in Austria in 2023, 15,465 in 2024 and 486 this year (as of 13 February 2025).
The cases per 100,000 inhabitants for each federal state for 2025 are shown in Figure 1. The age distribution (Figure 2) shows how infants are particularly affected.
In order to protect infants in the first months of life,pregnant women in particular areadvised to be vaccinated in the last trimester of pregnancy, regardless of the interval between the last pertussis vaccination. This provides newborns with protection through maternal antibodies. In addition, infants should receive the first 6-vaccine with components against pertussis immediately at the beginning of the 3rd month of life as well as the other recommended vaccinations in good time.
Further information on the pertussis vaccination can be found at Whooping cough (pertussis) | Vaccination simply protects.
Whooping cough (pertussis) - AGES
On 30 January 2025, the Ugandan Ministry of Health reported an outbreak of Sudan Ebola virus disease (Sudan virus for short), a form of Ebola fever, after a case was confirmed in the capital Kampala. As of 10 February 2025, nine cases have been confirmed, including one death. All cases are linked to the index case, so the chain of transmission from the first case to all others can be traced. Over 200 contact persons have been identified and are under observation.
The Sudan virus causes a severe, often fatal disease in humans with a mortality rate of 41 to 100 %. The virus that infected the nine cases belongs to the family of orthoebolaviruses that cause Ebola fever. Three of the six orthoebolaviruses are associated with major outbreaks of disease in humans: Bundibugyo Ebola virus, Zaire Ebola virus (Ebola virus for short) and Sudan Ebola virus (Sudan virus for short).
As the Ebola virus was responsible for many times more outbreaks in the past than the Sudan virus, more measures are available for the Ebola virus, such as better diagnostic options, medication and vaccinations. In contrast, no drugs or vaccines are currently authorised for the disease caused by the Sudan virus.
On 3 February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially announced the start of the first vaccine effectiveness study for a vaccine against Sudan virus disease. This trial was set up within four days of the outbreak being confirmed. In a first step, the approximately 40 contact persons of the first confirmed case will be vaccinated.
The Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs also refers to the Ebola outbreak in its travel information. The necessity of planned trips to Kampala should be checked. People on site are advised to wash their hands frequently, avoid crowds and contact with sick people and keep up to date with developments (as of 18 February 2025).
Communicable disease threats report, 1 - 7 February 2025, week 6
Groundbreaking Ebola vaccination trial launches today in Uganda
Several EU/EEA countries have reported cases of shigellosis since January 2025: 20 in the UK, 7 in Austria, 7 in France, 3 in Ireland and one in the Netherlands.
Shigellosis is a diarrhoeal disease that is very easily caused by bacteria of the Shigella genus. It causes fever, cramp-like abdominal pain and watery and often bloody diarrhoea. The bacteria are transmitted via contaminated food and water, as well as via contaminated objects, door handles, laundry, etc.
The Shigella bacteria responsible for the current outbreak are Shigella sonnei ST152. As the samples from the cases are genetically linked, a common source is assumed. Of 38 cases, 29 have recently travelled internationally, most of them to Asian countries. It could be that the common origin of the infections lies in an international transit, be it a transit airport or flights with the same airline or caterer. The ECDC is currently working with European countries to get to the bottom of this.
The most important precautionary measure to prevent the transmission of shigellosis is hand hygiene.
You can find more information in the fact sheet: Shigella - AGES
Communicable disease threats report, 1 - 7 February 2025, week 6
In February, a new genotype of avian influenza was detected in cattle in the United States of America (USA). A worker on a dairy cow farm was also infected with this genotype. The B.3.13 genotype was previously responsible for the outbreak in US dairy cows since March 2024. The D1.1. variant now discovered in cattle was mainly found in birds and is the one associated with severe cases in humans. The first human death from avian influenza in the USA in January 2025 was also caused by birds infected with the D.1.1 genotype.
Since March 2024, a total of 68 people in the USA have tested positive for the A(H5N1) virus. The infected people had been in contact with either cattle or birds, and the source is still unknown for only three people.(CDC, as of 17/02/2025)
In Austria, the A(H5N1) virus has only been detected in poultry and wild birds. A(H5N1) cases in humans and cattle have not been reported. Information on current outbreaks can be found in the AGES animal disease radar.
The risk to the general European population is considered low by the ECDC. For people with contact to infected animals or a contaminated environment, the risk is low to moderate. Transmission to humans is rare and human-to-human transmission has not yet been observed.
On behalf of the ministry, AGES has produced information videos for hobby poultry farmers that provide information on signs of illness and measures to be taken. Recently, certain professional groups in Austria have been able to be vaccinated against avian influenza. If you are interested, please contact the responsible public health officer.
HPAI Confirmed Cases in Livestock | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation | Bird Flu | CDC
AGES information videos on avian influenza
Animal disease radar - AGES
Since Tanzania confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in the north-western region of Kagera on 20 January 2025, a further death has been reported.
In total, two confirmed and eight probable MVD cases have been reported since December 2024 as of 10 February 2025. All ten people have died.
The incubation period, i.e. the time from infection to the outbreak of the disease, can be up to 21 days. A 21-day follow-up was therefore carried out on all 281 identified contact persons, which was completed by 10 February 2025.
The Marburg virus causes a serious illness with a mortality rate of up to over 90%, although this can be lower if the patient is treated quickly and well. The virus is mainly transmitted via direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. The virus occurs naturally in fruit bats and can jump from these to humans who spend longer periods of time in their natural habitats.
The USA is planning to leave the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Argentina is following suit. What is motivating the two countries to leave and what resources and powers does the WHO have?
Humanity has moved ever closer together in recent decades; densely populated urban centres are connected by flights, travel and trade ensure a constant exchange. Unfortunately, this also includes diseases. In such a world, no country can stop the spread of disease on its own; global co-operation is essential. Since it was founded in 1948, one of the WHO's main tasks has been to combat infectious diseases. It is a central specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) and its mission is "to help all peoples achieve the best possible state of health".
To achieve this goal, the WHO coordinates the fight against infectious diseases worldwide and also develops standards, guidelines and methods in the health sector and endeavours to implement them uniformly worldwide. It supports countries with weak infrastructure, provides experts and expertise in crises and promotes research. The WHO's major successes include the eradication of smallpox, and global vaccination programmes also prevent the deaths of millions of people every year.
The power of the WHO
The WHO can only work with recommendations. It has no power to interfere with the sovereignty of states or to issue directives. All member states decide independently which recommendations they want to follow. In theory, the WHO can draw up international treaties; in practice, the only such treaty to date is a framework convention on tobacco control from 2003.
Even if a government refers to the WHO in its measures, it was still its decision to implement these recommended measures. The WHO has no executive power, it has no means or tools with which it could force its member states to do anything. However, the WHO is dependent on its member states and their funding.
When Argentina's head of state Javier Milei justifies the WHO's withdrawal by saying that Argentina will not allow any interference "in our sovereignty", he is reacting to a danger that does not exist.
Why withdraw?
Immediately after taking office, Donald Trump issued a decree ordering the USA to withdraw from the WHO. If this decision is not changed, the withdrawal will take effect at the beginning of 2026. It is already having an effect: the WHO has imposed an austerity programme, travel has been reduced and tenders have been stopped. The WHO still hopes to be able to continue its full programme, i.e. to find other sponsors. However, the WHO's financial situation was already tense before the planned withdrawal of its largest sponsor.(Details on the budget)
But how is the withdrawal being argued, what advantages is it supposed to have?
The USA is by far the largest sponsor of the WHO, and the WHO receives around 15 per cent of its budget from the USA. The new US government sees this as unfair, while at the same time accusing China of having too much influence in the WHO. The role of the WHO during the pandemic is also criticised - it acted politically, represented China's interests and promoted measures that were bad for the USA. The influence of the pharmaceutical industry on the WHO is also criticised - and not just by the USA.
Instead of giving money to the WHO, one could invest in the national healthcare system. This is possible, but it is difficult to imagine how a national system could be a substitute for international cooperation in a globalised world.
The USA has not only played a leading role financially, but has also done an enormous amount of work in terms of content. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have played a leading role in numerous programmes, from the fight against malaria to the global fight against HIV. The withdrawal of the USA will set back both international networking and substantive work.
WHO and AGES
The WHO is an important source of information for us at AGES: it helps us to keep an eye on global outbreaks of infectious diseases, provides us with standards and methods for combating diseases and, in countless cases, is the first port of call for us to check which developments are currently relevant worldwide.
Article on zeit.de about the possible consequences of a withdrawal:
USA and WHO: What the USA's withdrawal from the WHO really means | ZEIT ONLINE
Guinea has successfully eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, in humans. This is the first elimination of a neglected tropical disease (NTD) in Guinea. NTDs are among the tropical diseases associated with poverty that occur particularly in poorer countries with poor hygienic conditions and a tropical climate.
HAT is caused by unicellular parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. Infected tsetse flies can transmit these parasites to humans through a bite. Symptoms include fever, headache and joint pain and, in advanced stages, neurological symptoms such as confusion, disturbed sleep patterns and behavioural changes.
In 2002, the Guinean Ministry of Health launched the programme to combat HAT with the support of the WHO and other partners. In addition to improved early diagnosis and treatment, almost 15,000 traps impregnated with insecticides were used each year to attract and kill tsetse flies. Acceptance of the measures and the help of local communities are essential for the successful implementation of such programmes.
After the major Ebola outbreak of 2013-2015 and the coronavirus pandemic delayed the process of eliminating HAT once again, Guinea has now managed to fall below the threshold of 1 case per 10,000 inhabitants per year. This means that HAT has been eliminated in Guinea.
Guinea eliminates human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem
Niger has officially eliminated onchocerciasis, river blindness. This makes it the fifth country in the world and the first country in Africa where the interruption of transmission of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus has been confirmed by the WHO.
Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease and the second most common infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black flies. These black flies are mainly found in areas of fast-flowing rivers. The disease mainly affects the rural population in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, with smaller endemic areas in parts of Latin America.
The elimination of onchocerciasis was made possible, among other things, by consistent vector control measures and mass treatment, which was made possible by drug donations. Intensified surveillance and close cooperation between the Nigerien government, the WHO and non-governmental organisations were also necessary.
WHO verifies Niger as the first country in the African Region to eliminate onchocerciasis
With this issue, we are publishing for the first time a file with current figures on all major notifiable diseases in Austria. These diseases are recorded and monitored in Austria in the Epidemiological Reporting System (EMS).
Laboratories, doctors and health authorities enter information into the EMS. The task of AGES is to ensure the quality of the data and to monitor the epidemiological situation.
The quality assurance process is ongoing, so the figures represent the current state of knowledge. They may change slightly, even as a result of subsequent entries.
The tables are aimed at all interested parties and are intended to improve data transparency in Austria. Interesting developments or infection events are also reported in the radar as separate topics and edited accordingly - as is currently happening with measles and pertussis, for example.
In every film with a pandemic threat, the question is: Who was the first patient? Here we first ask: What do we call this first case?
The term "index case" is often used when what is actually meant is the "primary case". Both terms are well defined for outbreaks and should not be confused.
The term "primary case" can only be applied to infectious diseases that spread from person to person and refers to the person who first introduces a disease to a group of people - for example, a school class, a community or a country.
The "index case" is the patient of an outbreak who is first noticed by health authorities and alerts them to a possible outbreak. There can also be an index case for outbreaks of diseases that are not transmitted from person to person, for example infections that are spread exclusively via contaminated food.
In many outbreaks, the primary case will never become known - the HIV pandemic is an example of this. In an outbreak that goes undetected, there is no index case, but in all outbreaks that are detected, there will always be one.
In some cases, the primary case is also the index case, but often they are not identical. The first term is related to the basic epidemiology of the outbreak, the second to the surveillance system and public health measures.
The AGES Radar for Infectious Diseases is published monthly. The aim is to provide the interested public with a quick overview of current infectious diseases in Austria and the world. The diseases are briefly described, the current situation is described and, where appropriate and possible, the risk is assessed. Links lead to more detailed information. The "Topic of the month" takes a closer look at one aspect of infectious diseases.
How is the AGES radar for infectious diseases compiled?
Who: The radar is a co-operation between the AGES divisions "Public Health" and "Risk Communication".
What: Outbreaks and situation assessments of infectious diseases:
- National: Based on data from the Epidemiological Reporting System (EMS), outbreak investigation and regular reports from AGES and the reference laboratories
- International: Based on structured research
- Topic of the week (annual planning)
- Reports on scientific publications and events
Further sources:
Acute infectious respiratory diseases occur more frequently in the cold season, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. These diseases are monitored via various systems, such as the Diagnostic Influenza Network Austria (DINÖ), the ILI (Influenza-like Illness) sentinel system and the Austrian RSV Network (ÖRSN). The situation in hospitals is recorded via the SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) dashboard.
Austrian laboratories send SARS-CoV-2 samples to AGES for sequencing. The sequencing results are regularly published on the AGES website.
For the international reports, health organisations (WHO, ECDC, CDC, ...) specialist media, international press, newsletters and social media are monitored on a route-by-route basis.
For infectious diseases in Austria, the situation is assessed by AGES experts, as well as for international outbreaks for which no WHO or ECDC assessment is available.
Disclaimer: The topics are selected according to editorial criteria, there is no claim to completeness.
Suggestions and questions to:wima@ages.at
As the response to enquiries is also coordinated between all parties involved (knowledge management, INFE, risk communication), we ask for your patience. A reply will be sent within one week.
Case numbers of notifiable diseases according to the Epidemics Act, the figures are shown for the previous month and, in each case for the period from the beginning of the year to the end of the previous month, the figures for the current year, for the previous year, as well as the median of the last 5 years for comparison (Epidemiological Reporting System, as of 19 February 2025).
| Pathogens | 2025 | 2024 | 2020-2024 (median) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Jan-Jan | Jan-Jan | Jan-Jan | |
| Amoebic dysentery (amoebiasis) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Botulism b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brucellosis | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Campylobacteriosis b | 442 | 442 | 611 | 507 |
| Chikungunya fever | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cholera | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clostridioides difficile infection, severe course | 99 | 99 | 84 | 66 |
| Dengue fever | 8 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Diphtheria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ebola fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Echinococcosis caused by fox tapeworm | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Echinococcosis caused by dog tapeworm | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Spotted fever (rickettsiosis caused by R. prowazekii) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Yellow fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haemophilus influenzae, invasive a | 19 | 19 | 12 | 7 |
| Hantavirus disease | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hepatitis A | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 |
| Hepatitis B | 73 | 73 | 130 | 84 |
| Hepatitis C | 94 | 94 | 124 | 107 |
| Hepatitis D | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Hepatitis E | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | 437 | 437 | 765 | 24 |
| Polio (poliomyelitis) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lassa fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) d | 24 | 24 | 19 | 19 |
| Leprosy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Leptospirosis | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Listeriosis b | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Malaria | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Marburg fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Measles | 47 | 47 | 48 | 1 |
| Meninigococcus, invasive c | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthrax | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mpox e | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Norovirus gastroenteritis b | 551 | 551 | 547 | 280 |
| Paratyphoid fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Plague | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pneumococcus, invasive c | 130 | 130 | 112 | 76 |
| Smallpox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Psittacosis | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rotavirus gastroenteritis b | 90 | 90 | 53 | 24 |
| Glanders (Malleus) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rubella | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Relapsing fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEC/VTEC b | 39 | 39 | 35 | 21 |
| Salmonellosis b | 48 | 48 | 82 | 72 |
| Scarlet fever | 19 | 19 | 60 | 1 |
| Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shigellosis b | 26 | 26 | 18 | 7 |
| Other viral meningoencephalitis | 15 | 15 | 5 | 6 |
| Rabies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trachoma (grain disease) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trichinellosis | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuberculosis | 28 | 28 | 38 | 31 |
| Tularemia | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| Typhoid fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bird flu (avian influenza) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Nile virus disease | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yersiniosis b | 10 | 10 | 12 | 16 |
| Zika virus disease | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
a The diseases are evaluated according to the case definition. Diseases for which a case definition exists are shown, with the exception of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. As a rule, confirmed and probable cases are counted. Subsequent notifications or entries may result in changes.
b Bacterial and viral food poisoning, in accordance with the Epidemics Act.
c Invasive bacterial disease, in accordance with the Epidemics Act.
d Includes only cases with pneumonia.
e Mpox has been notifiable since 2022; the median is only calculated for the years in which notification is mandatory.
Last updated: 21.02.2025
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