The recently released European Union One Health 2024 Zoonoses report has highlighted a five-year trend of continuing increases in zoonotic Listeria monocytogenes cases across the EU. Although Listeriosis was the fourth most common zoonotic disease (following Campylobacter, Salmonella, and STEC infections), it was found to be the most severe, with the highest percentage of hospitalizations (97.3%) and case fatality rate. Overall, listeriosis cases have been trending upwards since 2020.
Related to the attributed foods, the greatest increases were in major RTE food categories, led by fish/fishery products (392%). Besides these, the highest proportions of positive official control samples were found in bovine meat products (4.6%); pork products (2.7%); fruits, vegetables and juices (2.3%); and poultry products (1.3%). In fact, the only decrease observed was for RTE foods intended for infants and for special medical purposes (−7.7%).
Additionally:
- More contamination was found to occur at manufacturing than in distribution.
- No L. monocytogenes was detected in food intended for infants and medical purposes at any stage, and in milk at the distribution stage.
- The proportion of samples exceeding 100 CFU/g was zero to very low across all RTE food categories, except fermented meat sausages associated with a low proportion.
- The majority of deaths occurred in individuals over 65 years of age (81.7%).
- Contributing factors may include an aging population and increased consumption of ready-to-eat prepared foods coupled with improper storage and handling practices.
With the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) having significantly enhanced sensitivity in identifying clusters of cases that would otherwise appear to be sporadic, WGS is now considered in the EU to be the reference method for bacterial typing and the investigation of listeriosis outbreaks.
The report, which is published annually, is a good reference for food businesses around the world as a source of current trends and issues to be aware of in your own production.
COVID Risk Matrix:
Influenza:
Public Health News:
- The WHO released a report on December 24, 2025, on Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). From the beginning of 2025 through 21 Dec 2025, 19 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV, including four deaths, have been reported globally to WHO. 17 cases were reported from Saudi Arabia, and two imported cases were from France related to recent travel from the Arabian Peninsula. These cases reinforce the threat that the virus poses in countries where it is circulating in dromedary camels, with regular spillover into the human population.
- A recent report from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) on dengue incidence showed there was a 75% drop in probable cases and a 72% decrease in deaths compared to 2024 in Brazil, likely due to more widespread use of the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine.
- The Africa CDC reported over 310,000 cholera cases and 7,258 deaths across 25 African countries in 2025, representing more than a doubling of cases from previous periods and a case fatality rate of 2.3%. Five countries account for 87.8% of cases: South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Nigeria, and Sudan. Contributing factors include extreme climate change and deficiencies in water safety and hygiene in these regions, as well as limitations on vaccine supply and distribution.
- Measles cases in the US have now passed over 2,000 cases in 2025. The total reported by the CDC as of December 23 is 2,012 cases. This year’s total is the nation’s highest since 1992, when there were 2,200 reported cases.
