Summary
SARS-CoV-2 detections are currently decreasing. Cases of influenza and RSV have only been registered sporadically so far.
In Europe, there has been local transmission of Mpox clade Ib for the first time in over a year. The risk for men who have sex with men is classified as moderate.
Canada has lost its measles-free status after almost 30 years.
In the topic of the month , we look at the risk of pneumonia and present the most important pathogens.
In the news, we explain why bird flu does not currently pose a risk to the general population. Good news comes from Fiji: trachoma has been eliminated there.
The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater appears to have peaked in mid-October and has since decreased slightly in most federal states. Since the end of August, around 20% of samples tested in the sentinel system have been positive for the coronavirus - a similar proportion to the last time this was the case in October 2024. The proportion of positive samples has been falling for a fortnight and is currently at 14%.
There has been an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to severe acute respiratory infections caused by COVID-19 in recent weeks. In the week of 13 October 2025, 370 COVID-19 admissions to normal wards were registered, the highest number since November 2024. Since then, admissions appear to be falling, although the data for the last two weeks may still be subject to fluctuations.
In the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA), SARS CoV-2 circulation is elevated, and in some countries it is already decreasing again. The impact on hospital admissions has so far been limited.
The COVID-19 vaccination is available free of charge in Austria and is recommended for anyone aged 12 and over who wants to reduce the risk of a potentially severe course of the disease. More information on the vaccination and the indications can be found in the Austrian Vaccination Plan 2025/2026.
Influenza
Since calendar week 40, acute respiratory diseases including influenza have been monitored more intensively again in Austria. The current data is published on the Diagnostic Influenza Network Austria (DINÖ) website. The first sporadic cases of influenza A were already detected in October in the medical practices selected for surveillance (sentinel). This is early, but not unusual. Hospital admissions with influenza have also only been recorded sporadically so far. The viruses are the same as those covered by the influenza vaccination.
In Europe, influenza is still circulating at a low level, but is showing an increasing trend, three to four weeks earlier than in previous seasons. Influenza A is dominant, with subtype A(H3) accounting for the majority of detected cases in the last week of October.
In Japan, an unusually high number of flu infections are recorded for this time of year. Over 2,000 kindergartens, schools and other institutions have already had to be partially closed. The Japanese health authorities declared a flu epidemic on 3 October due to this high number of cases. This makes this flu season in Japan one of the earliest in the last 20 years.
The annual flu vaccination is a preventative measure against serious illness. The flu vaccination is recommended from the age of 6 months and is available free of charge for all age groups in the public vaccination programme. Now is the best time to be vaccinated due to the flu epidemic that may be expected earlier.
Vaccination is particularly important for people with health risks for a severe course of the disease and their contact persons/household contacts, as well as for people who have an increased risk of infection due to life circumstances (e.g. pregnant women) or occupation. A nasal vaccine is available especially for children. Details can be found at www.impfen.gv.at/influenza and in the current 2025/2026 vaccination plan.
In episode 003 - Influenza & Co: How do I surf safely through the flu wave? of the AGES podcast "Courage to take risks", infection epidemiologist Fiona Költringer explains what the flu is all about and how you can best protect yourself against it.
RSV
Since the start of the season, only one case of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been recorded in the sentinel surveillance system. Hospital admissions with RSV infections have been sporadic so far. Last year, the RSV season started in December and peaked in January and February 2025.
Children under the age of five and people over the age of 65 are at particularly high risk of contracting a severe RSV infection. Vaccination is therefore recommended from the age of 60.
There is currently no approved RSV vaccine for active immunisation of children. However, there are monoclonal antibodies for passive immunisation: Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is approved and recommended for the prevention of lower respiratory tract RSV disease in newborns, infants and young children during their first RSV season and in children up to 24 months of age who remain susceptible to severe RSV disease during their second RSV season. It is also available in 2025/26 in the free childhood vaccination programme of the federal and state governments and social insurance. A vaccination for pregnant women is also approved for the passive immunisation of children. Further information on the vaccinations is available at RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) | Vaccination simply protects. and in the current 2025/2026 vaccination schedule .
A recent Cochrane review shows that RSV vaccination is safe and effective in protecting vulnerable groups at highest risk of severe disease - older adults and young children.
After more than a year of predominantly travel-associated Mpox reports (clade Ib), locally acquired clade Ib infections have been confirmed for the first time within the EU/EEA. As of 7 November 2025, 8 cases have been reported in Europe: in Spain (2), Italy (4), Portugal (1) and the Netherlands (1). Three unrelated clade Ib Mpox cases that had not travelled were also reported in the USA.
This development differs significantly from the previously exclusively travel-associated clade Ib cases. The majority of those affected are men who have sex with men without a history of travelling to endemic areas, which indicates autochthonous transmission in European sexual networks.
All Mpox clade Ib cases reported to date in the EU/EEA were imported or clearly linked to imported cases. This includes 30 clade Ib cases reported to ECDC between 15 August 2024 and 21 October 2025. Overall, ECDC assesses the overall risk for men who have sex with men in the EU/EEA as moderate, with further undetected cases expected.
Since 23 May 2022, 384 cases of Mpox have been reported in Austria (as of 12 November 2025). Of these, eleven Mpox cases were reported in 2023, 28 cases in 2024 and 18 cases in 2025 (as of 12 November 2025). To date, however, there have been neither autochthonous nor travel-associated clade Ib cases in Austria. There are currently 44,299 confirmed cases worldwide this year.
We wrote in detail about Mpox and the different clades in the AGES Radar issue of 29 August 2024. You can also find all the important information about Mpox and the current figures in Austria in the fact sheet on our AGES website.
There are still sufficient vaccines against Mpox available in Austria. The vaccine is available pre-exposure for people with individual risk behaviour, personnel in specialised laboratories, healthcare personnel with a very high risk of exposure and for travellers to endemic areas with intensive contact with the population via the relevant provincial health directorate.
In recent months, the return of measles in the USA has been the focus of media attention due to deaths and rapidly rising case numbers. However, other countries that had already eliminated measles are also experiencing a resurgence of this highly contagious disease, which is often associated with complications: Canada, for example, which had already eliminated measles in 1998, has now lost this status.
The reason for this is a major outbreak that began with an imported case in October 2024 and has now spread across several provinces in Canada for over a year with more than 5,000 cases attributable to the outbreak. After reviewing the current epidemiological and laboratory data, it must be assumed that the measles virus strain has been transmitted continuously for more than twelve months, a criterion with which the country loses its elimination status and measles is again considered endemic in the country.
The main cause of such developments is usually too low vaccination rates, which do not sufficiently prevent the spread of this highly contagious pathogen and can lead to large, long-lasting outbreaks.
Even for Austria, which experienced a record of over 500 measles cases in 2024 and already has 152 cases in 2025, maintaining measles elimination status cannot be taken for granted.
The triple combination vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is available free of charge at public vaccination centres in Austria for all age groups. Two MMR vaccinations are recommended from the age of 9 months (absolutely before entry into community facilities). For details, see the Austria 2025/2026 immunisation schedule.
12 November is World Pneumonia Day - a global day of action that draws attention to the dangers of pneumonia and the importance of prevention. Pneumonia is still one of the most common and most dangerous infections worldwide. It can be caused by a wide range of pathogens, primarily bacteria, but also viruses or, less frequently, fungi or parasites. The most common symptoms are coughing, fever, a general feeling of illness and breathing difficulties. However, the symptoms can also be very unspecific. Depending on the pathogen and other existing illnesses, it can be accompanied by a long illness or lead to death. However, some pathogens can be protected against with a vaccination.
Pneumococci
Bacteria of the Streptococcus pneumoniae species, pneumococci for short, are the most common cause of pneumonia. Every year, thousands of people, especially the elderly and children, contract serious infections caused by these bacteria.
Pneumococcal infections occur at all times of the year, but show a seasonal cluster in the winter months. In 2021, for example, around half a million deaths worldwide were attributed to Streptococcus pneumoniae-related lower respiratory tract infections. Pneumococci are transmitted by droplet infection and can cause a variety of serious illnesses - including pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia. These diseases have a particularly high mortality rate. Around 10-50% of healthy adults in Austria are colonised with pneumococci. Infants, young children, people over 60 and people with certain health risks are particularly at risk of pneumococcal disease. Together with Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococci are among the most common bacterial causes of fatal pneumonia worldwide.
Current epidemiological situation in Austria
Since 2006, all invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPE) have been subject to mandatory reporting. Invasive pneumococcal infections are those in which the pathogen can be detected in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid or pleural puncture. This means that not every pneumonia caused by pneumococci is reportable, as the pathogen usually does not enter the bloodstream or the pleura, especially in milder cases. According to the 2024 annual report, 812 invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPE) were registered in Austria in 2024 - an incidence of 8.9 cases per 100,000 people. A total of 57 deaths were reported, which corresponds to a mortality rate of 7%.
The highest incidence was found in people over 80 years of age (45.8 cases/100,000), followed by the 75 to 79 age group. Pneumonia was present in around 82% of reported cases, while pneumococci caused meningitis in 3.7% of cases.
In 2025, 784 cases (as of 12 November 2025) of invasive pneumococcal disease have been reported so far. This is well above the average of previous years. The SARI dashboard also registers inpatient hospital admissions due to severe respiratory infections caused by pneumococci, among other things. At the end of October 2025, 22 people per week were admitted to a normal ward with such a pneumococcal infection. So far this year, a peak of around 40 admissions per week has been observed in February and March 2025.
Vaccination - effective protection for risk groups
In Austria, the pneumococcal vaccination is part of the free childhood vaccination programme. Since 1 November 2025, the pneumococcal vaccination has also been offered free of charge for adults aged 60 and over and certain risk groups aged 18 and over in the new 2025/2026 vaccination plan.
The expansion of the vaccination programme was decided on the basis of evidence-based analyses by the Vienna University of Technology, which were prepared in collaboration with the National Vaccination Committee, the Medical University of Vienna and Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG). According to the Austrian Vaccination Plan 2025/2026, a single pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults aged 60 and over; other vaccination schedules are used for risk groups, which are specified in detail in the vaccination plan. There is currently no data on whether and when further pneumococcal vaccinations are necessary for adults aged 60 and over.
Haemophilus influenzae Type B and other baddies
Not only pneumococci cause pneumonia, the number two on the list of baddies is Haemophilus influenzae type B (HiB). The bacterium colonises the mucous membranes, usually without causing any symptoms. However, if the immune defence is weakened, it can trigger a range of illnesses, from harmless sinus infections to severe pneumonia. Vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type B is included in the free vaccination programme and is recommended as part of the 6 vaccinations as soon as possible from the 6th week of life, at least in the 3rd month of life. Details can be found in the Austria 2025/2026 vaccination programme.
Pneumonia can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria (e.g. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Staphylococcus aureus). In rarer cases, viruses are the pathogens. Some viruses that can cause respiratory tract infections can also lead to pneumonia, such as influenza viruses, COVID-19 or RSV. Drug therapy for viral pneumonia is a challenge, as there is often no antiviral therapy available.
In even rarer cases, fungi are the cause of the infection - but this usually only happens if the patient is already severely ill or the immune system is suppressed.
Pneumococci - AGES
National reference centre for meningococci, pneumococci and Haemophilus influenzae - AGES
Vaccination plan Austria 2025/26
Pneumococcal infections - Infections - MSD Manual Edition for patients
Fiji has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. This makes trachoma the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Fiji. This was made possible by surveys, studies and laboratory tests, as well as water and hygiene initiatives and programmes to raise awareness among the population.
Egypt has also achieved the same, becoming the first country in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem. This brings the number of countries worldwide that have eliminated trachoma to 27.
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 lack of access to clean water. 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.
Fiji becomes the 26th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
At the end of September, the first evidence of avian influenza in wild birds was detected in Austria after several months. An "increased risk" has therefore applied since 3 November 2025. A further intensification is possible, details can be found in the animal disease radar.
There is no risk to the general population. The virus currently circulating in Europe is very well adapted to infecting birds and multiplying in them. The genetic characteristics of the virus are not optimised to infect human hosts. In very rare cases, close and prolonged contact with a large amount of virus can lead to transmission to humans. The risk groups include poultry farmers of affected animals.
Due to the low probability of infection, vaccination against avian influenza is currently not recommended for everyone. A vaccine has been procured by the BMASGPK and is available free of charge at certain facilities for people with special indications. The vaccine is not available on the open market.
The ability to be transmitted from person to person is the most important step in the development of a virus into a pandemic pathogen; such transmission has not yet been proven for the avian influenza virus. However, we know that influenza viruses can change rapidly and acquire this characteristic, so it is important to monitor the situation closely and regularly reassess the risk to humans.
This is another reason why people who work with poultry should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza to reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with human and animal influenza viruses. Transmission through food is currently not to be assumed.
Important rules of behaviour:
In general, do not touch wild animals and especially do not touch dead animals! Report any dead birds found to the competent veterinary authorities (municipal or district authorities or the police). In the event of the death of domestic poultry, do not touch the animals and inform the vet.
In podcast episode 010 of the AGES podcast "Courage to take risks", expert Irene Zimpernik explains what bird flu is all about, why this disease poses such a risk and what can be done to prevent it from spreading so much.
The AGES Radar for Infectious Diseases is published monthly. The aim is to provide the Austrian health services and 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", Knowledge Management 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 month (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.
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, MED, 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 12.11.2025).
| Pathogens | 2025 | 2024 | 2020-2024 (median) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct | Jan-Oct | Jan-Oct | Jan-Oct | |
| Amoebic dysentery (amoebiasis) | 1 | 9 | 13 | 8 |
| Botulism b | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Brucellosis | 0 | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| Campylobacteriosis b | 610 | 6.077 | 5.952 | 5.345 |
| Chikungunya fever | 1 | 15 | 11 | 3 |
| Cholera | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clostridioides difficile infection, severe course | 53 | 599 | 658 | 478 |
| Dengue fever | 5 | 124 | 188 | 44 |
| Diphtheria | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ebola fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Echinococcosis caused by fox tapeworm | 1 | 14 | 24 | 18 |
| Echinococcosis caused by dog tapeworm | 4 | 21 | 22 | 26 |
| Spotted fever (rickettsiosis caused by R. prowazekii) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) | 7 | 136 | 148 | 148 |
| Yellow fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haemophilus influenzae, invasive a | 6 | 87 | 78 | 54 |
| Hantavirus disease | 3 | 30 | 16 | 25 |
| Hepatitis A | 11 | 216 | 63 | 37 |
| Hepatitis B | 103 | 817 | 892 | 826 |
| Hepatitis C | 88 | 847 | 924 | 762 |
| Hepatitis D | 0 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
| Hepatitis E | 4 | 47 | 41 | 49 |
| Whooping cough (pertussis) | 97 | 1.708 | 13.810 | 617 |
| Polio (poliomyelitis) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lassa fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) d | 30 | 369 | 320 | 260 |
| Leprosy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Leptospirosis | 5 | 16 | 35 | 14 |
| Listeriosis b | 2 | 30 | 37 | 33 |
| Malaria | 5 | 66 | 68 | 63 |
| Marburg fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Measles | 1 | 152 | 506 | 25 |
| Meningococcus, invasive c | 2 | 29 | 14 | 8 |
| Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Anthrax | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mpox f | 2 | 18 | 16 | 16 |
| Norovirus gastroenteritis b | 140 | 2.896 | 2.953 | 1.644 |
| Paratyphoid fever | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Plague | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pneumococcus, invasive c | 61 | 784 | 648 | 367 |
| Smallpox | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Psittacosis | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Puerperal fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rotavirus gastroenteritis b | 40 | 1.011 | 747 | 487 |
| Glanders (Malleus) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rubella | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Relapsing fever | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STEC | 94 | 878 | 724 | 401 |
| Salmonellosis b | 162 | 1.362 | 1.251 | 1.026 |
| Scarlet fever | 8 | 209 | 536 | 3 |
| Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Shigellosis b | 40 | 283 | 224 | 73 |
| Other viral meningoencephalitis | 18 | 161 | 150 | 111 |
| Rabies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trachoma (grain disease) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trichinellosis | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Tuberculosis | 25 | 323 | 340 | 334 |
| Tularemia | 11 | 57 | 98 | 31 |
| Typhoid fever | 1 | 5 | 11 | 6 |
| Bird flu (avian influenza) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Nile virus disease | 0 | 1 | 36 | 4 |
| Yersiniosis b | 5 | 68 | 84 | 104 |
| Zika virus disease | 0 | 2 | 10 | 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 Due to lack of case definition before 2025, only cases from 2025 onwards are shown; the median is also only calculated from 2025 onwards
f Mpox has been notifiable since 2022; the median is only calculated for the years in which notification is mandatory.
Last updated: 13.11.2025
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