A bacterium that is probably changing behaviour and, possibly, now transmitting from person to person, causes skin lesions, inflammation of the skin, pustules or small abscesses. Until now it was considered a zoonose with almost non-existent cases in humans, but in the last month, it has been detected in dozens of people in three EU countries.
The boxing virus that not only has not stopped circulating in Europe but is probably consolidating itself with hundreds of cases already recorded in the last year. Boxing is a major concern ahead of the summer and the World Cup.
The sharp increase in cases attributed to foodborne infections with Salmonella Stanley occurring in nine European countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
All of the above, together with the mosquitoes that have swept the EU, make up a cocktail of summer threats for which the European Center for Infection Control is sounding the alarm calling on EU member states to take their measures. The latest report, epidemiological surveillance of the ECDC, records one by one the risks (at the moment), in view of the summer season, of an increase in the movement of citizens due to holidays and certainly due to the World Cup, which, it is worth mentioning, has set up the competent authorities in the USA.
The bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis
Of particular interest but also of particular concern is the appearance of 50 cases of infection with the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis in France, Germany and Spain.
According to the ECDC, it is a microorganism that until now was mainly associated with infections in animals and only in rare cases, it infected humans.
Scientists are currently considering human-to-human transmission, as the recorded cases, according to official reports, seem to have common epidemiological characteristics and close genetic relatedness.
People who contracted the bacterium, fortunately, experienced mild symptoms which were successfully treated with antibiotics.
Dermatophilus congolensis is a bacterium that causes so-called dermatophilosis. A disease that mainly affects cattle, horses, sheep and other animals.
In humans, skin lesions, redness and inflammation of the skin, pustules or small abscesses, crusts and rashes, painful skin lesions occur, mainly on the hands, feet or in places of skin injury.
Foodborne infections in focus
The ECDC makes special points on the Salmonella Stanley epidemic. According to the latest recorded data, by June 5, 83 confirmed cases had been detected in nine European countries: Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, while the connection of another 24 additional cases is being considered.
The epidemic mainly affects children and young adults, while at least 20 patients required hospitalization.
The health authorities' investigations are focused on processed chicken products, which are classified as widely consumed in the single European market.
Mosquitoes under the microscope
As temperatures rise, the ECDC is also turning its attention to mosquito-borne diseases.
Surveillance for the West Nile virus has already begun and experts estimate that the weather conditions currently prevailing in Europe are favourable for the transmission of the virus. That is why they expect more incidents in the coming weeks.
Mpox: Europe continues to record incidents
Monkeypox continues to be a concern in Europe since, according to the ECDC, in April 2026 alone, 102 cases of the Clade I variant were recorded in 11 countries and 23 cases of Clade II in seven countries.
Over a one-year period, from May 2025 to April 2026, 16 countries reported a total of 458 Clade I cases, while 18 countries recorded 921 Clade II cases. The majority of cases involve men who have sex with men and have not been vaccinated.
Cyprus does not appear in the relevant ECDC table for the last year, however, experts warn for all states that the increased summer travel traffic may contribute to the spread of the virus.
Ebola: The most serious international threat
The most important threat listed in the report in terms of material risk concerns the Ebola epidemic. By the beginning of June, 381 confirmed cases and 64 deaths had been recorded in Congo, as well as 16 cases with one death in Uganda. The situation is considered particularly serious, with the World Health Organization having declared a state of emergency of international concern.
On the leg due to the Football World Cup
Interestingly, the same concerns recorded in Europe are also of concern to health authorities in the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In addition, authorities in the US are concerned about measles, but also COVID-19. The concern is heightened by the fact that the United States recorded the highest number of measles cases in decades in 2025.
