This outbreak required coordinated international control activities and highlights the need for preparedness protocols for expedition and cruise vessels.

Mammalian spillover in a highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) outbreak in a poultry holding

Findings necessitate stronger mosquito surveillance, better clinical awareness and integrated ‘One Health’ monitoring.  

Chemical agents can cause food-borne illness and canteens should be better prepared for sudden-onset food-borne outbreaks.

Large-scale register-based vaccine-effectiveness studies to address requirements for timely, robust post-authorisation evidence to guide public health and regulatory decisions.

While flour is a known STEC vehicle, this outbreak is highly unusual, as cooking of frozen pizzas should eliminate STEC. Understanding the origins and persistence of contamination should contribute to improving food safety practices.

HBV prevalence can be overestimated when relying solely on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) because of unconfirmed or false-positive results.

Clinicians need to be reminded that the disease does still exist and should be included in differential diagnosis of skin lesions and nerve involvement.  

Reflections on Eurosurveillance events and initiatives in 2025, and a look forward to what may come in 2026.