Europe has recorded more cases of monkey flower infections, reaching 25,177 and an increase of 204 cases from the previous week. This rise is based on data reported through October 18 by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe.
The joint update from ECDC and WHO notes 736 hospitalizations across Europe so far, representing about 6 percent of diagnosed cases. Of these, 247 patients required some form of clinical intervention. Intensive care unit admission was needed for five people, and four fatalities have been reported.
Most illnesses have occurred in adults aged 31 to 40, accounting for roughly 39 percent of known cases with age data. The distribution shows a strong male predominance, with about 98 percent of reported cases involving men. Among men with a known sexual orientation, the vast majority self-identified as men who have sex with men.
Serology results available for a portion of cases show that 38 percent were HIV positive. The clinical presentation frequently included rash, observed in about 96 percent of those with available data, along with systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches, chills, or headache in about two thirds of cases.
In terms of exposure, five instances among healthcare workers have been documented as occupational. In four of these cases, personnel wore personal protective equipment as recommended but were exposed to body fluids during sample collection. A single case occurred where PPE was not used.
Spain continues to report the highest number of confirmed infections in Europe with 7,277 cases. This is followed by France with 4,084 cases, the United Kingdom with 3,686, and Germany with 3,651. Other countries report smaller totals, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, and Belgium, with several additional nations contributing lower case counts. The list also includes nations such as Israel, Sweden, Poland, Ireland, Denmark, and Norway among others in the regional tally. The complete spread covers many European countries, reflecting a regional pattern that public health authorities monitor closely. Additional totals are reported by smaller nations, territories, and microstates.
Health authorities emphasize continued vigilance, standardized reporting, and sustained infection prevention efforts as the situation evolves. The figures come from ongoing surveillance collaborations between the ECDC and WHO, which aggregate laboratory confirmations, clinical diagnoses, and patient outcomes to guide policy and clinical practice across the region. Attribution: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe.