Summary
Hepatitis A is rare in Austria, but there has been an increase in cases this year, as in some other European countries. The Institute of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at AGES is analysing the outbreak and working with international partners to clarify possible links.
In Bavaria, there have been two cases of the Borna virus and one man has died. There has never been a case in Austria, but precautionary measures are still advised when disposing of mouse faeces.
Internationally, Mpox and COVID-19 continue to be monitored, we provide brief updates: There has been a sharp increase in Mpox in Sierra Leone and a new SARS-CoV-2 variant has been classified by the WHO as a "variant under monitoring".
In this month's topic, we are focusing on salmonella to mark International Food Safety Day (7 June). How dangerous is it, how is an outbreak investigated and what can we all do to prevent illness?
This month's news includes the gonococcal annual report 2024, the elimination of trachoma in two countries, the discovery of West Nile fever virus in the UK and a study involving AGES on the largest diphtheria outbreak in Europe for 70 years.
The number of hepatitis A cases in Austria continues to rise. So far in 2025, 83 cases of hepatitis A have been reported (as of 11 June 2025). In comparison: there were 74 cases in the entire previous year. Between June 2024 and June 2025, 31 cases can be summarised as an outbreak; they have the same hepatitis A genotype 1B. The Institute of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at AGES is investigating this cluster of hepatitis A cases. The situation is being continuously monitored so that protective measures can be taken if necessary.
The outbreak is affecting homeless people, among others, which is why hepatitis A lockdown vaccinations are currently being carried out in affected homeless centres.
An increase in cases of hepatitis A genotype 1B has also been observed in other EU countries, including Slovakia and Hungary. Two closely related genetic clusters of 1B have been identified. As in Austria, homeless people and people with drug addiction are particularly affected. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is preparing a rapid risk assessment of the transnational outbreak for 16 June. Further cases are expected.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via faecal-oral transmission, through contact infection in close personal contacts, e.g. in kindergarten or in a shared household, or during sexual contact, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). People without symptoms can be a source and spread the virus. In addition, transmission is possible through contaminated food (such as shellfish or berries), water or contaminated utensils. Transmission can also occur through blood and blood products, e.g. through repeatedly used syringe sets in drug addicts. After contact with the hepatitis A virus, it can take two to seven weeks for the disease to break out. The typical symptoms are fever, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), loss of appetite, abdominal pain and fatigue. A safe and effective vaccination against hepatitis A is available and is recommended in certain life situations (e.g. travelling to endemic areas, people working in social professions, food processing and catering).
Communicable disease threats report ECDC 202505
According to media reports, there have been two cases of the Borna virus in Bavaria, one man has died and another is seriously ill. Such diseases are very rare, but are often fatal. No human case has ever been reported in Austria.
The reservoir for the Borna virus is shrews, the exact route of transmission is unknown. The urine, faeces and saliva of shrews are possible sources of infection. In areas where the virus could occur, it is recommended
- Never touch shrews or their faeces with bare hands and avoid places where they are present
- Food sources for shrews, such as cat food or kitchen rubbish, should be stored out of reach so as not to attract the animals
- Dead animals should only be touched with disposable gloves, then sprayed with a commercially available cleaning agent and disposed of in a closed plastic bag.
- When disposing of dead animals, it is also advisable to wear a well-fitting FFP2 mask
There are no designated risk areas in Austria. Due to illnesses in animals, it is assumed that the virus is present at least in Vorarlberg and Styria.
On 5 June 2025, a committee of the World Health Organisation (WHO) determined that Mpox still represents a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This assessment was decided in the summer of 2024 after the number of Mpox cases had risen sharply, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). At that time, the focus was on Mpox virus clade 1b. Details can be found in the AGES Radar of 29 August 2024. 19,117 Mpox cases were reported from Africa last year.
Since the beginning of 2025, 17,193 Mpox cases have been reported in Africa. DRC still accounts for a large proportion of these, driven by the sharp rise in the number of cases in Uganda and Sierra Leone. There was not a single officially confirmed case in Sierra Leone last year, but 2,648 Mpox cases have now been reported since the beginning of the year (as of 18 May 2025, WHO). An analysis of 76 virus genomes suggests that the outbreak in Sierra Leone began in November 2024 and that at least four times more people are affected than officially confirmed. Cases are increasing exponentially, especially among young people and in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. The outbreak is being driven by the Mpox virus clade 2b, the same clade that was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022.
In Austria, 12 Mpox cases have been reported since the beginning of the year, roughly the same number as in 2024 in the same period. Clade 1b has not yet been detected in Austria.
Multi-country outbreak of mpox, External situation report #53 - 29 May 2025
Skyrocketing mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone raises fears of wider spread
In its report on the global COVID-19 situation, the WHO writes that SARS-CoV-2 activity has increased since mid-February. As of 28 May 2025, test positivity had reached 11%, a level last observed in July 2024. The increase is mainly concentrated in South-East Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western Pacific. In some countries of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), there appears to be a slight trend in the increase in positive tests; overall, SARS-CoV-2 activity is very low in all countries. No impact on the situation in hospitals or the number of deaths has been observed.
At the end of May, the ECDC and the WHO added the SARS-CoV-2 variant NB.1.8.1 to the "Variants under Monitoring" (VUM). In recent weeks, this variant has increased in proportion to the other variants worldwide. NB.1.8.1 is a descendant of the XDV lineage, which in turn descends from BA.2.86. There is currently no evidence of increased severity of NB.1.8.1 and no significant impact on vaccine efficacy is expected. Laboratory and clinical studies are in progress.
In Austria, a slight increase in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations can be observed in wastewater. Inpatient hospital admissions show a small increase after a long period of stagnation.
WHO Risk Evaluation for SARS-CoV-2 Variant Under Monitoring: NB.1.8.1
7 June was International Food Safety Day. This day is all about uncovering the risks of unsafe food and promoting the safe handling of food. We provide an overview of how AGES ensures safe food and give tips on how you can stay on the safe side when handling food yourself.
From the field to the plate
In Austria and Europe, there are a number of precautions in place to ensure healthy food . The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and national organisations, such as AGES in Austria, play a key role in this. Controls "from the field to the plate" and a well-developed European network ensure that our food is safer than ever before.
Food is sampled, the accuracy of information and labelling is checked and the approval of novel foods is closely monitored. In certain cases, food is recalled, withdrawn from the market and consumers are informed. This can be the case if there is incorrect information on the packaging, such as an incorrect best-before date, or if germs are detected, as in a recent case. Despite the controls, germs can still get into the food and pose a health risk.
Current outbreak and recall
There is currently a recall for the organic cashew butter with raspberries from "dm - drogerie markt" with a best-before date of 28 April 2026. This product is associated with an outbreak of salmonella infections in Austria and Germany.
In Austria, 13 cases from six federal states have been reported so far. Infants aged between 1 and 3 years are particularly affected. Eight children had to be hospitalised. Germany has reported 52 cases (as of 06/06/2025). The product has already been withdrawn from the market. Due to the long best-before date until April next year, it is possible that some people still have it in stock at home. Please do not consume the product under any circumstances.
Salmonella is the second most common cause of diarrhoea in Austria. These bacteria are mainly transmitted through food, mostly eggs and egg products, poultry, meat and dairy products. Symptoms of the illness can include nausea, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, circulatory problems and abdominal cramps. Normally, the illness (salmonellosis) is self-limiting and stops on its own after a few days. In some cases, it can become severe, for example in children, older people and people with a compromised immune system.
On the trail of outbreaks
Foodborne outbreaks are caused by germs in food, such as listeria, campylobacter or salmonella. Outbreaks are usually handled and investigated by AGES in co-operation with the health authorities. In the AGES radars of 31 October 2024 and 30 January 2025, we reported on outbreaks of salmonellosis caused by rocket and listeriosis caused by soft cheese. The Ministry of Health has also commissioned AGES to clarify the current salmonellosis outbreak.
The clarification of food-borne outbreaks at AGES takes place in 10 steps. Taking the current salmonellosis outbreak as an example:
- Is there an outbreak? People with gastrointestinal complaints from different federal states go to their family doctor, for example. They take a stool sample in which salmonella is detected.
- Report the diagnosis: As salmonellosis is a notifiable disease in Austria, cases are reported to the health authorities via the epidemiological reporting system (EMS).
- Outbreak cases are identified and defined: If a cluster of cases can be identified microbiologically, the Ministry of Health commissions AGES to investigate the outbreak.
- Survey of outbreak cases: The people who have fallen ill are contacted and asked about the food they ate in the period before their outbreak. This information provides clues to find the source of the outbreak.
- Formulate a hypothesis: Hypotheses are made and the common thread or link between the cases is sought: Which group of people is particularly affected? Which foods consumed overlap?
- Test the hypothesis: If a "main suspect" foodstuff is identified, the food supervisory authorities (LMA) of the federal states can take samples of the suspected foodstuff. These samples are then analysed at AGES. If salmonella is detected, the strain is determined (typed) and compared with the strain of the patient - if they are genetically similar, there is a link between food and cases of illness.
- Control measures are initiated: Feedback is sent to the food supervisory authority and measures are taken: in the current case, the product is recalled. Subsequently, investigations are carried out along the supply chain to get to the bottom of the origin of the salmonella. The food is "traced", i.e. it is investigated where it came from and where it was distributed.
- Communicating the results: The results of the outbreak investigation are published.
- Evaluation of the causes of the outbreak and control measures: The causes of the outbreak and effective control measures are continuously reviewed to prevent outbreaks in the future.
- Outbreak investigation is completed: If no further cases occur and the food source responsible for the outbreak has been eliminated, the outbreak investigation can be terminated.
For more information on outbreak investigation: In the episode on foodborne outbreaks from the AGES podcast "Courage to take risks" , an AGES epidemiologist provides insights into her day-to-day work.
Cooking safely
Consumers have a significant influence on the safety of their food. From the moment you go shopping, the responsibility for food safety is literally in your hands!
The majority of illnesses caused by food originate at home. In 2023, 60% of foodborne illness outbreaks were household outbreaks. This can be prevented by transporting, storing and preparing food correctly.
Always refrigerate perishable foods such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products! Take salmonella, for example: They generally grow in a temperature range of 10 to 47 °C. At room temperature, they can multiply explosively in food within a few hours, with the bacterial count doubling every 20 minutes.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling food! Wash raw fruit and vegetables thoroughly with running water before eating.
Cook meat, poultry, fish and eggs etc. thoroughly! Heating the food to over 70 °C is a sure way to kill germs; the inside of the food must also be brought to this temperature.
Raw meat, raw eggs, fish etc. must be kept separate from ready-to-eat foods such as salads and ready meals to prevent cross-contamination! Using the same board and knife to cut raw poultry meat and salad can transfer potentially dangerous bacteria from one food to the other. While the poultry is still cooked, roasted or grilled and the germs are killed by the heat, the salad is eaten raw and can therefore lead to infection.
All work surfaces and utensils that have been in contact with raw poultry meat, other raw meat or raw eggs should be cleaned with washing-up liquid and hot water.
You can find more information on the subject of kitchen hygiene at Cooking safely - AGES.
In the AGES Radar issue of 23 May 2025, we discussed food safety when barbecuing and the risk of Campylobacter.
The annual report of the National Reference Centre for Gonococci for the year 2024 was published on 12.06.2025. Gonococci are the cause of the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhoea (colloquially known as "clap").
A total of 422 samples from 409 patients tested positive for gonococci at the National Reference Centre. The Austrian laboratories submit isolates to the National Reference Centre on a voluntary basis; there is currently no legal obligation to do so. Therefore, there is no complete record.
Three quarters of the samples (76%) were from male patients. In both men and women, most gonococcal infections were detected in the 25-34 age group. Of the 409 patients with a positive gonococcal test result, 81 were diagnosed with inflammation of the urethra (urethritis), 11 had other inflammation or symptoms in the ano-genital area and 43 had no symptoms. In most cases (273), no information was provided about the symptoms.
When testing for resistance, it is investigated whether the bacteria respond to medication and can therefore be treated. If a bacterium is resistant to an antibiotic, it is no longer effective or only has a limited effect. All isolates were sensitive to the standard antibiotics cefixime and ceftraxone. In contrast, 63 % of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin. The resistance rate to tetracycline was 75.4 % and to penicillin 19.7 %. Acquired resistance to azithromycin can be assumed in 14.5 % of isolates.
In 2024, no isolates were identified that were resistant to several important drug groups (MDR/XDR isolates - multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant).
Mauritania and Papua New Guinea have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, according to the WHO. Papua New Guinea focussed on comprehensive disease surveillance. Mauritania applied the WHO SAFE strategy, which includes campaigns for surgical interventions, antibiotic administration, (facial) hygiene and improvement of water supply and general hygienic conditions.
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection and the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close physical contact, flies and contaminated surfaces. Repeated infections can lead to scarring, inward rotation of the eyelids and irreversible blindness.
Trachoma primarily affects regions with poor hygienic conditions and a lack of access to clean water. Since 2014, the number of trachoma patients requiring treatment in the African WHO region has fallen from 189 to 93 million. 20 other African countries are currently actively working to eliminate trachoma.
A disease is considered "eliminated as a public health problem" when a country reaches certain targets set by the WHO. Even after the disease has been officially eliminated as a public health problem, certain measures remain in place to ensure that these targets continue to be met.
Papua New Guinea eliminates trachoma as a public health problem
WHO validates Mauritania for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem
Genetic material from West Nile virus (WNV) has been detected in native mosquitoes in the UK for the first time. The affected mosquitoes belong to the species Aedes vexans and were collected in a wetland in Nottinghamshire as part of a research project in the summer of 2023. According to the UK Health Protection Agency, there is currently no evidence of ongoing virus circulation in birds or mosquitoes in the country. The risk to the general population is considered to be very low. Surveillance measures have been extended as a precautionary measure. Research projects of this kind can make an important contribution to the early detection of vector-borne diseases, as the virus is increasingly spreading northwards and westwards in Europe.
First detection of West Nile virus in UK mosquitoes - GOV.UK
A diphtheria outbreak in 2022 led to the sharpest increase in reported infections in Western Europe for 70 years. A study involving AGES experts traces transmission routes for the first time. Clinical and genomic data from the outbreak indicate a source of transmission along established migration routes to Europe.
Details on the outbreak and the study can be found here.
Cross-contamination generally refers to the transfer of microorganisms from one object to another. Cross-contamination plays a particular role in kitchen hygiene: unheated or insufficiently heated meat can pose a risk during processing if it comes into contact with products that are no longer heated. This cross-contamination can also occur through inadequately cleaned utensils, such as chopping boards, knives and towels or failure to wash hands.
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), please be patient. 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 14 May 2025).
| Pathogens | 2025 | 2024 | 2020-2024 (median) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | Jan-Apr | Jan-Apr | Jan-Apr | |
| Amoebic dysentery (amoebiasis) | 2 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
| Botulism b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brucellosis | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Campylobacteriosis b | 302 | 1.424 | 1.701 | 1.538 |
| Chikungunya fever | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Cholera | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clostridioides difficile infection, severe course | 49 | 314 | 278 | 189 |
| Dengue fever | 13 | 56 | 82 | 32 |
| Diphtheria | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Ebola fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Echinococcosis caused by fox tapeworm | 1 | 7 | 11 | 6 |
| Echinococcosis caused by dog tapeworm | 1 | 5 | 11 | 11 |
| Spotted fever (rickettsiosis caused by R. prowazekii) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) | 5 | 6 | 10 | 2 |
| Yellow fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haemophilus influenzae, invasive a | 10 | 53 | 47 | 18 |
| Hantavirus disease | 5 | 11 | 8 | 11 |
| Hepatitis A | 21 | 53 | 21 | 16 |
| Hepatitis B | 78 | 325 | 426 | 320 |
| Hepatitis C | 95 | 367 | 384 | 314 |
| Hepatitis D | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Hepatitis E | 6 | 22 | 20 | 20 |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | 139 | 1.072 | 4.375 | 93 |
| Polio (poliomyelitis) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lassa fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) d | 15 | 105 | 66 | 56 |
| Leprosy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Leptospirosis | 1 | 4 | 10 | 1 |
| Listeriosis b | 1 | 8 | 17 | 11 |
| Malaria | 5 | 20 | 14 | 14 |
| Marburg fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Measles | 18 | 95 | 423 | 25 |
| Meningococcus, invasive c | 2 | 18 | 7 | 7 |
| Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthrax | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mpox e | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1 |
| Norovirus gastroenteritis b | 281 | 2.073 | 1.838 | 930 |
| Paratyphoid fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Plague | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pneumococcus, invasive c | 108 | 510 | 417 | 222 |
| Smallpox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Psittacosis | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Rotavirus gastroenteritis b | 134 | 494 | 369 | 216 |
| Glanders (Malleus) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rubella | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Relapsing fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEC/VTEC b | 41 | 216 | 132 | 75 |
| Salmonellosis b | 78 | 241 | 267 | 249 |
| Scarlet fever | 27 | 132 | 329 | 2 |
| Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shigellosis b | 12 | 81 | 67 | 10 |
| Other viral meningoencephalitis | 20 | 48 | 29 | 29 |
| Rabies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trachoma (grain disease) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trichinellosis | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| Tuberculosis | 37 | 125 | 157 | 133 |
| Tularemia | 1 | 8 | 35 | 7 |
| Typhoid fever | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| Bird flu (avian influenza) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Nile virus disease | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yersiniosis b | 6 | 22 | 45 | 44 |
| Zika virus disease | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
a The diseases are assessed 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: 12.06.2025
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